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Regulatory Guidance

Welcome to the FMCSA Guidance Portal. This web portal is a searchable, indexed database that contains and links to all guidance documents in effect from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The guidance documents lack the force and effect of law, unless expressly authorized by statute or incorporated into a contract.

To comment on any guidance document, or to request issuance, reconsideration, modification, or rescission of any guidance document, please identify the guidance document in your request and send it to: FMCSAguidance@dot.gov. NOTE: The FMCSAguidance mailbox is not intended to serve as a mailbox for general inquiries. For inquiries that go beyond the limited purpose of the FMCSAguidance mailbox, please call FMCSA's Information Line (800-832-5660) or visit FMCSA's "Contact Us" page to send your inquiry to the appropriate mailbox.

Subject Agency Identifier Topic Issued Date
Is it permissible to select alternates for the purpose of complying with the Random Testing regulations? FMCSA-D&A-382.305-FAQ012 Selecting alternates for the purpose of complying with the random testing regulations
May an employer conduct a road test administered in accordance with 49 CFR §391.31 prior to driver-applicant subject to 49 CFR §382 submits to a pre-employment controlled substances test? FMCSA-D&A-382.301-FAQ004 Whether an employer may administer a road test to a prospective driver subject to Part 382 without first conducting a pre-employment test
Must a motor carrier that uses a 100-air-mile radius driver write zero (0) hours on the time record for each day the driver is off duty (not working for the motor carrier)? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-FAQ29 Hours of Service
If an employer is subject to random testing for only a partial calendar year, how should the employer determine the number of random tests required during the year to achieve the appropriate testing rate? (Examples: new employers that begin operating midw FMCSA-D&A-382.305-FAQ014 Guidance on how to determine the number of random tests required during the year to achieve the appropriate testing rate for employers who are subject to random testing for only a partial calendar year
(FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.711-FAQ004) FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.711-FAQ004 Guidance on Staffing Agency registration in the Clearinghouse
Which drivers are to be included in a alcohol and controlled substances testing program under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) rule? FMCSA-D&A-382.103-Q07 Applicability of drug and alcohol testing requirements to drivers operating CMVs in commerce
Should a medical review officer (MRO) report a negative-dilute test result in the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.705-FAQ015 Guidance Clarifying that a negative-dilute RTD result should be reported as “negative”
How can I track the progress of my bulk queries? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ007 Guidance on Bulk Query Tracking
How does an employer or consortium/third-party administrator (C/TPA) submit a bulk query? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ022 Guidance on How to submit bulk query
Part 380 – Entry level Driver Training Guidance Q&A (Q026) FMCSA-ELDT-380-Q026 Commercial Driver License; Entry level Driver Training