HOS Exemption Now Approved for Railroad Truck Drivers by FMCSA

FMCSA Renews HOS Exemption for Railroad Emergency Crews

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has renewed an important Hours of Service (HOS) exemption. This exemption applies to R.J. Corman Railroad Services, Cranemasters, Inc., and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC).

The decision allows drivers working for these companies to go beyond normal HOS limits. These drivers respond to rail emergencies that happen without warning.

HOS Exemption Helps Rail Crews Respond Faster

The HOS exemption will remain in effect for five years. It gives drivers more flexibility beyond the usual 14-hour work limit. It also lets them go slightly over the 60- or 70-hour weekly limits.

The exemption applies only when truck drivers are heading to emergency rail events. These include derailments, track damage, or cars stuck on tracks. Other examples include collisions, power issues, and extreme weather. Crews can also respond to events involving national security or public safety.

FMCSA Confirms The Exemption Is Safe

FMCSA reviewed the companies’ safety history before renewing the HOS exemption. They also reviewed public feedback. The agency said there was no sign that safety dropped during the earlier exemption period.

This HOS exemption only applies to the trip to the incident scene. Once drivers arrive, they must record that time as “on-duty, not driving.” Before getting back on the road, drivers are required to rest as usual.

The agency also pointed out that these events are rare. Since they can’t be scheduled, the exemption is not part of a driver’s regular routine. Their normal schedules still have to follow standard HOS rules.

Public Comments Were Mostly Supportive

FMCSA asked the public for comments before making the final decision. Ten comments were submitted. Seven supported the exemption, two were against it, and one was neutral.

Support came from several railroad associations in states like Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, New York, Ohio, and Texas. One group, the Mississippi Railroad Association, wrote, “This exemption will help our rail network continue to function and provide critical connectivity for our state’s manufacturers, agricultural producers, and consumers.”

Other associations said that rail emergencies are hard to predict. They also said that most truck drivers only travel short distances to these sites.

One anonymous supporter said the exemption helps remove “roadblocks that could cause derailments and damage to the property surrounding the railroad tracks,” including hazardous leaks and toxic chemical releases.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine opposed the exemption. They wrote, “While adherence to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations may be operationally challenging, exemptions to these rules subject drivers and the public to avoidable safety risks.”

Another commenter, E. Irizarry, asked FMCSA to “consider the broader implications of this exemption and explore a more inclusive, consistent framework that takes into account the unforeseen and uncontrollable delays faced by truck drivers every day.”

Rules and Limits for Using the HOS Exemption

FMCSA has added several limits to how the exemption can be used. Here are the key conditions:

• Drivers may extend the 14-hour daily limit, but not beyond 17 hours.
• They must not drive more than 11 hours after taking 10 hours off.
• Weekly HOS limits may only be extended by 6 hours.
• Operations must stay within 300 air miles of the driver’s regular location.

Once on-site, truck drivers must follow standard HOS rules. Any work done at the site must be logged as on-duty time.

Drivers may use personal conveyance rules for travel to local hotels or restaurants. But if those rules don’t apply, the driver must be taken by someone still under their HOS limit or use a non-commercial vehicle.

Before using the exemption, drivers must complete safety training. All other federal safety rules still apply.

HOS Crash Reporting Required by FMCSA

R.J. Corman and Cranemasters must report any crash that involves a driver using the HOS exemption. These reports must be sent to FMCSA within five business days.

Each report must include:

• Driver and co-driver names and license numbers
• The date and place of the crash
• Cause of the crash, if known
• Any injuries or fatalities
• Whether a citation was issued
• Total driving and on-duty time before the crash

Crash reports must be emailed to FMCSA at MCPSD@dot.gov.

FMCSA May Cancel HOS Exemption If Needed

FMCSA said the HOS exemption will be revoked if safety becomes an issue. It will also be canceled if the companies or drivers break any of the rules.

So far, FMCSA has found no signs of reduced safety. That’s why the exemption has been renewed for another five years.

HOS Flexibility Keeps Rail Crews Ready

This exemption gives railroad response teams more flexibility. These crews handle dangerous and urgent situations. The exemption helps them act quickly and avoid delays caused by standard time limits.

By renewing the HOS exemption, FMCSA supports quick and safe action when rail lines are disrupted. The decision ensures that crews are ready to respond—especially when it matters most.