49 CFR § 215.3 - Application.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s215.3"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 215.3 - Application."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "215.3"
section_name: "Application."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "215"
part_name: "RAILROAD FREIGHT CAR SAFETY STANDARDS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 20102-03, 20107, 20171; 28 U.S.C. 2461; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "44 FR 77340, Dec. 31, 1979, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "215"
---


# 215.3 Application.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, this part applies to each railroad freight car in service on:

(1) Standard gage track of a railroad; or

(2) Any other standard gage track while the car is being operated by, or is otherwise under the control of, a railroad.

(b) Sections 215.15 and 215.303 of this part do not apply to any car:

(1) Owned by a Canadian or Mexican Railroad; and

(2) Having a Canadian or Mexican reporting mark and car number.

(c) This part does not apply to a railroad freight car that is:

(1) Operated solely on track inside an industrial or other non-railroad installation; or

(2) Used exclusively in dedicated service as defined in § 215.5(d) of this part; or

(3) Maintenance-of-way equipment (including self-propelled maintenance-of-way equipment) if that equipment is not used in revenue service and is stenciled in accordance with § 215.305 of this part.

(4) Operated in a passenger train and that is inspected, tested, maintained, and operated pursuant to the requirements contained in part 238 of this chapter.

[44 FR 77340, Dec. 31, 1979, as amended at 65 FR 41305, July 3, 2000]