Federal Register #FRA20250132

Final Rule Issued by Federal Railroad Administration on Locomotive Engineer Certification

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), under the Department of Transportation, has issued a final rule amending regulations for locomotive engineer qualification and certification. - No procurement of products or services is involved; this is a regulatory update. - No OEMs or vendors are mentioned. - Key changes include: - Allowing electronic locomotive engineer certificates. - Reducing the information required on certificates. - Revising the certification revocation and Administrative Hearing Officer (AHO) processes. - Codifying waivers for railroads participating in the FRA-sponsored Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS). - The rule aims to reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining transportation safety. - Locations involved are the Federal Railroad Administration and the Department of Transportation offices.

Description

This final rule updates the Federal Railroad Administration's locomotive engineer certification requirements. It reduces the information required on a locomotive engineer's certificate and allows certificates to be electronic. The rule also changes the certification revocation process and the Administrative Hearing Officer (AHO) process. Additionally, it makes administrative updates including revising definitions and correcting errors in the regulatory text. The rule is effective May 28, 2026.

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