Rail Industry Drivers Keep Hours Relief for Unplanned Disruptions
Trucking business · Oct 20 · By Truker
Federal regulators have extended a waiver that lets certain railroad-linked drivers continue behind the wheel past two standard time limits when unexpected incidents arise. The renewed relief comes with a tighter list of qualifying situations and new reporting duties. FMCSA concluded the arrangement should deliver safety results at least on par with what would occur without it.
The points
- 1The waiver covers the cap on driving beyond 14 hours after starting a shift, as well as the weekly ceiling of 60 hours over 7 days or 70 hours over 8 days.
- 2It was granted to two rail trade groups, the Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, and applies to their member railroads.
- 3Relief is intended for unforeseen events that happen outside normal working hours or stretch beyond them.
- 4The renewal narrows the types of unplanned events that qualify and introduces new reporting obligations.
- 5Only drivers working for the motor carriers named in the decision's appendix may use the exemption.
Why it matters
The decision limits which rail-related drivers and which disruption scenarios can qualify for hours-of-service relief while adding reporting oversight, based on FMCSA's finding that safety would be equal to or better than without the exemption.
What we read
Federal Register FMCSA