TITLE 37. PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

PART 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

CHAPTER 4. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REGULATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES

SUBCHAPTER B. REGULATIONS GOVERNING TRANSPORTATION SAFETY

The Texas Department of Public Safety (the department) proposes an amendment to §4.12, concerning Exemptions and Exceptions. The proposed amendment removes the exception to commercial driver license holder English language proficiency requirements applicable to intrastate commerce only, so that English language proficiency requirements for commercial driver license holders under 49 C.F.R. §391.11(b)(2) will apply to both interstate and intrastate commerce.

Meghan Sanchez, Assistant Chief, Finance Division has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of this rule will be improved public safety on the roadways by ensuring that each commercial driver is able to communicate clearly in English to ensure compliance with traffic laws, to follow safety directions, and to prevent accidents

Meghan Sanchez, Assistant Chief, Finance Division has determined that for each year of the first five-year period this rule is in effect enforcing or administering this rule does not have foreseeable implications relating to the cost or revenues of the state or local governments.

The adoption of the English language proficiency requirement for intrastate commercial motor vehicle drivers will exclude from the pool of available qualified drivers in Texas those drivers who cannot read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries and to make entries on reports and records. This enforcement of existing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act standards on intrastate carriers will have an undeterminable impact on driver availability and may create short-term economic impacts on individuals with a commercial driver license and on small businesses and micro-businesses, but not rural communities, as intrastate carriers adjust to the longstanding federal interstate safety standard. Given the significant public safety objectives of the proposed rule to improve safety on the roadways, there are no alternative methods to achieving this proposal. The proposed rule does not increase or decrease the number of commercial motor vehicle driver positions available in Texas and changes only the qualifications for these positions.

The department has determined this proposal is not a "major environmental rule" as defined by Texas Government Code, §2001.0225. "Major environmental rule" means a rule the specific intent of which is to protect the environment or reduce risks to human health from environmental exposure and that may adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, or the public health and safety of the state or a sector of the state. This proposal is not specifically intended to protect the environment or reduce risks to human health from environmental exposure.

The department has determined that Chapter 2007 of the Texas Government Code does not apply to this proposal. Accordingly, the department is not required to complete a takings impact assessment regarding this proposal.

The department prepared a Government Growth Impact Statement assessment for this proposed rulemaking. The proposed rulemaking does not create or eliminate a government program; will not require the creation of new employee positions nor eliminate current employee positions; will not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; nor will it require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency. The proposed rulemaking does not create a new regulation. The proposed rulemaking does expand an existing regulation and does increase the number of individuals subject to its applicability. During the first five years the proposed rule is in effect, the proposed rule should not impact positively or negatively the state's economy.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, Texas Government Code, §2001, et seq., and Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 644, will hold a public hearing on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Highway Patrol Division, Building G Annex, 5805 North Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas. The purpose of this hearing is to receive comments from all interested persons regarding adoption of the proposed amendment to §4.12, concerning Exemptions and Exceptions, proposed for adoption under the authority of Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 644, which provides that the director shall, after notice and a public hearing, adopt rules regarding the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles.

Persons interested in attending this hearing are encouraged to submit advance written notice of their intent to attend the hearing and to submit a written copy of their comments. Correspondence should be addressed to Major Omar Villarreal, Texas Highway Patrol Division, Texas Department of Public Safety, 5805 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78752 or by email to Omar.Villarreal@dps.texas.gov.

Persons with special needs or disabilities who plan to attend this hearing and who may need auxiliary aids or services are requested to contact Major Omar Villarreal at (512) 424-2775 at least three working days prior to the hearing so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Other comments on this proposal may be submitted to Major Omar Villarreal, Texas Highway Patrol Division, Texas Department of Public Safety, 5805 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78752 or by email to Omar.Villarreal@dps.texas.gov. Comments must be received no later than thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this proposal. Persons required to comply with the proposed rules, or any other interested person, may provide information to the department related to the cost, benefit, or effect of the proposed rule, including any applicable data, research, or analysis.

This proposal is made pursuant to Texas Transportation Code, §644.051, which authorizes the director to adopt rules regulating the safe transportation of hazardous materials and the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles; and authorizes the director to adopt all or part of the federal safety regulations by reference.

Texas Transportation Code, §644.051 and §644.053 are affected by this proposal.

§4.12. Exemptions and Exceptions.

(a) Exemptions to the adoptions in §4.11 of this title (relating to General Applicability and Definitions) are made pursuant to Texas Transportation Code, §§644.052 - 644.054, and are adopted as follows:

(1) Such regulations shall not apply to the vehicles detailed in subparagraphs (A) - (C) of this paragraph when operated intrastate:

(A) a vehicle used in oil or water well servicing or drilling which is constructed as a machine consisting in general of a mast, an engine for power, a draw works, and a chassis permanently constructed or assembled for such purpose or purposes;

(B) a mobile crane which is an unladen, self-propelled vehicle constructed as a machine used to raise, shift, or lower weights; or

(C) a vehicle transporting seed cotton.

(2) The provisions of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, §395.3 shall not apply to intrastate commerce. Drivers in intrastate commerce will be permitted to drive 12 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers in intrastate commerce may not drive after having been on duty 15 hours, following 8 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers in intrastate commerce violating the 12 or 15 hour limits provided in this paragraph shall be placed out-of-service for 8 consecutive hours. Drivers of vehicles operating in intrastate commerce shall be permitted to accumulate the equivalent of 8 consecutive hours off duty by taking a combination of at least 8 consecutive hours off duty and sleeper berth time; or by taking two periods of rest in the sleeper berth, providing:

(A) neither rest period in the sleeper berth is shorter than 2 hours duration;

(B) the driving time in the period immediately before and after each rest period in the sleeper berth, when added together, does not exceed 12 hours;

(C) the on duty time in the period immediately before and after each rest period in the sleeper berth, when added together, does not include any driving time after the 15th hour; and

(D) the driver may not return to driving subject to the normal hours of service requirements in this subsection without taking at least 8 consecutive hours off duty, at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, or a combination of at least 8 consecutive hours off duty and sleeper berth time.

(3) Drivers in intrastate commerce who are not transporting placardable hazardous materials and were regularly employed in Texas as commercial vehicle drivers prior to August 28, 1989, are not required to meet the medical standards contained in the federal regulations.

(A) For the purpose of enforcement of this regulation, those drivers who reached their 18th birthday on or after August 28, 1989, shall be required to meet all medical standards.

(B) The exceptions contained in this paragraph shall not be deemed as an exemption from drug and alcohol testing requirements contained in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 40 and Part 382.

(4) The maintenance of a driver's record of duty status is not required if the vehicle is operated within a 150 air-mile radius of the driver's normal work reporting location if:

(A) the driver returns to the normal work reporting location and is released from work within 14 consecutive hours;

(B) the driver has at least 8 consecutive hours off duty separating each 14 hours on duty; and

(C) the motor carrier that employs the driver maintains and retains for a period of 6 months true and accurate time and business records which include:

(i) the time the driver reports for duty each day;

(ii) the total number of hours the driver is on duty each day;

(iii) the time the driver is released from duty each day; and

(iv) the total time on duty for the preceding seven days in accordance with Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, §395.8(j)(2) for drivers used for the first time or intermittently.

(5) An electronic logging device (ELD) and an automatic on-board recording device have the meaning as defined in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, §395.2.

(6) Unless otherwise exempted, a motor carrier operating commercial motor vehicles intrastate shall require each of its drivers to record the driver's record of duty status:

(A) Using an ELD that meets the requirements of subpart B of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 395;

(B) Using an automatic on-board recording device that meets the requirements of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, §395.15; or

(C) Manually, recorded as specified in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, §395.8. The record of duty status must be recorded in duplicate for each 24-hour period for which recording is required.

(7) Unless otherwise exempted, a motor carrier operating commercial motor vehicles intrastate must install and require each of its drivers to use an ELD to record the driver's duty status in accordance with Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 395.

(8) The provisions of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 395 shall not apply to drivers transporting agricultural commodities in intrastate commerce for agricultural purposes within a 150 air-mile radius from the source of the commodities or the distribution point for the farm supplies during planting and harvesting seasons.

(b) Exceptions adopted by the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety not specified in Texas Transportation Code, §644.053, are:

(1) Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, §393.86, requiring rear-end protection shall not be applicable provided the vehicle was manufactured prior to September 1, 1991 and is used solely in intrastate commerce.

(2) Drivers of vehicles under this section operating in intrastate transportation shall not be permitted to drive after having worked and/or driven for 70 hours in any consecutive seven-day period. A driver may restart a consecutive seven-day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off-duty. Drivers in intrastate transportation violating the 70 hour limit provided in this paragraph will be placed out-of-service until no longer in violation.

(3) For drivers of commercial motor vehicles operating in intrastate transportation and used exclusively in the transportation of oilfield equipment, including the stringing and picking up of pipe used in pipelines, and servicing of the field operations of the natural gas and oil industry, any period of 7 consecutive days may end with the beginning of any off-duty period of 24 or more successive hours.

(4) For drivers of a commercial motor vehicle operating in intrastate transportation and used primarily in the transportation of construction materials and equipment, any period of 7 consecutive days may end with the beginning of any off-duty period of 24 or more successive hours. "Transportation of construction materials and equipment" has the meaning assigned by Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, §395.2.

(5) The provisions of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, §391.11(b)(1) shall not apply to intrastate commerce. The minimum age for an intrastate driver shall be 18 years of age. Intrastate drivers in violation of this paragraph shall be placed out-of-service until no longer in violation.

(6) [(7)] Texas Transportation Code, §547.401 and §547.404, concerning brakes on trailers weighing 15,000 pounds gross weight or less take precedence over the brake requirements in the federal regulations for trailers of this gross weight specification unless the vehicle is required to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121 (Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations §571.121) applicable to the vehicle at the time it was manufactured.

(7) [(8)] Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, §390.23 (Relief from Regulations), is adopted for intrastate motor carriers with the exceptions detailed in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph:

(A) Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, §390.23(a)(2) is not applicable to intrastate motor carriers making emergency residential deliveries of heating fuels or responding to a pipeline emergency, provided the carrier:

(i) documents the type of emergency, the duration of the emergency, and the drivers utilized; and

(ii) maintains the documentation on file for a minimum of six months. An emergency under this paragraph is one that if left unattended would result in immediate serious bodily harm, death, or substantial property damage but does not include routine requests to refill empty propane gas tanks.

(B) The requirements of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, §390.23(c)(1) and (2), for intrastate motor carriers shall be:

(i) the driver has met the requirements of Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 644; and

(ii) the driver has had at least eight consecutive hours off-duty when the driver has been on duty for 15 or more consecutive hours, or the driver has had at least 34 consecutive hours off duty when the driver has been on duty for more than 70 hours in seven consecutive days.

(8) [(9)] The provisions of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 380 (Subparts A - D) shall not apply to intrastate motor carriers and drivers.

(9) [(10)] In accordance with §4132 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETA-LU) (Pub. L. 109-59), the hours of service regulations in this subchapter are not applicable to utility service vehicles that operate in either interstate or intrastate commerce. Utility service vehicles are those vehicles operated by public utilities, as defined in the Public Utility Regulatory Act, the Gas Utility Regulatory Act, the Texas Water Code, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, §395.2, or other applicable regulations, and charged with the responsibility for maintaining essential services to the public to protect health and safety.

(10) [(11)] The United States Department of Transportation number requirements in Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 643 do not apply to vehicles/motor carriers operating exclusively in intrastate commerce and that are exempted from the requirements by Texas Transportation Code, §643.002.

(11) [(12)] Drivers of vehicles under this section, operating in intrastate transportation, who encounter adverse driving conditions and cannot, because of those conditions, safely complete the run within the maximum driving time or duty time during which driving is permitted under subsection (a)(2) of this section, may drive and be permitted or required to drive a commercial motor vehicle for not more than two additional hours beyond the maximum allowable hours permitted under subsection (a)(2) of this section to complete that run or to reach a place offering safety for the occupants of the commercial motor vehicle and security for the commercial motor vehicle and its cargo. Adverse driving conditions mean snow, sleet, fog, or other adverse weather conditions, a highway covered with snow or ice, or unusual road and traffic conditions, none of which were apparent on the basis of information known to the driver immediately prior to beginning the duty day or immediately before beginning driving after a qualifying rest break or sleeper berth period, or a motor carrier immediately prior to dispatching the driver.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on October 3, 2025.

TRD-202503552

D. Phillip Adkins

General Counsel

Texas Department of Public Safety

Earliest possible date of adoption: November 16, 2025

For further information, please call: (512) 424-5848