DOT Shares 2026 Transport Rules Plan: Safety and Fairness Focus
Published Date: 8/14/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Department of Transportation is sharing its plan for new and updated rules over the next year. These changes affect travelers, drivers, and businesses by aiming to improve safety, efficiency, and fairness in transportation. The public can join in by sending comments, and some rules might impact costs or schedules soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Airline Refunds Rule Established
The Department published a final rule establishing 14 CFR part 260 on April 26, 2024, titled "Refunds for Airline Fare and Ancillary Service Fees." This creates a regulatory framework about refunds for airline fares and ancillary service fees that affects air travelers and how carriers handle such refunds.
Travel Credits/Vouchers Rule Finalized
The Department published a final rule establishing 14 CFR part 262 on April 26, 2024, titled "Travel Credits and Vouchers Due to a Serious Communicable Disease." This rule creates a framework for travel credits and vouchers tied to serious communicable disease events and affects people who purchase travel during such events.
Delay in Enforcing Disability Rule
DOT is delaying enforcement of certain provisions in 14 CFR part 382 (Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel) while it publishes and considers a new rulemaking (see RIN 2105-AF35) that DOT announced in the Spring 2025 Unified Agenda. Part 382 was last amended in December 2024 (89 FR 102398).
Oral-Fluid Drug Testing Authorized
DOT amended 49 CFR part 40 to authorize oral fluid (saliva) drug testing as an additional methodology for employers in transportation workplace drug-testing programs. The amendment was part of rulemaking RIN 2015-AE94 and published in May 2023.
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Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15835, Accessible Lavatories on Single-Aisle Aircraft and Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers With Disabilities Using Wheelchairs
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or Department) is extending its previously announced enforcement discretion for four provisions of the final rule on "Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers With Disabilities Using Wheelchairs" (Wheelchair Rule I) related to airline liability for mishandled wheelchairs, refresher training frequency, pre-departure notifications, and fare difference reimbursements from December 31, 2026 to April 30, 2027. To maintain regulatory consistency, the Department is also expanding this enforcement discretion to include the 12-month hands-on training mandate for flight attendants regarding on-board wheelchair (OBW) assistance and lavatory accessibility in the final rule titled "Accessible Lavatories on Single-Aisle Aircraft" (Accessible Lavatory Rule). These provisions will be formally addressed in an upcoming rulemaking titled "Airline Obligations to Accommodate Air Travelers with Disabilities Using Wheelchairs" (Wheelchair Rule II). This extension is necessary to allow sufficient time for the Department to review and analyze public comments, and to make final determinations regarding the content of the final rule. This exercise of enforcement discretion is intended to remove the burden of complying with the requirements under review by DOT and does not prejudge the outcome of the new rulemaking. This notice does not affect the enforcement of requirements in the Accessible Lavatory Rule other than the one identified.
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The Department of Transportation is rolling back its 2024 rule about how airlines must share extra fees, like baggage or seat upgrades, with travelers. This change affects airlines and passengers by returning to the older 2011 rules for fee disclosure starting July 2, 2026. It means airlines have more flexibility in how they show these fees, and travelers might see less detailed info for now.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-16606, Regulatory Agenda
The Department of Justice is publishing its 2026 Unified Agenda regulatory agenda pursuant to Executive Order 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," 58 FR 51735, and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 to 612 (1988).
Next: 2026-16608, 2026 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes the Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions online at https:// www.reginfo.gov to periodically update the public. This document contains information about: <bullet> Regulations in the Agenda that are under development, completed, or canceled since the last agenda; and <bullet> Reviews of regulations with small business impacts under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).