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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
A driver operates a combination vehicle with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more. The tractor is towing a semitrailer and a full trailer, each with a GVWR of less than 10,000 pounds. Is this combination a Group A vehicle that requires a driver with a Class A FMCSA-CDL-383.5-Q7 Commercial Driver License Standards; Bladder Bags
Is a driver who operates a truck tractor pulling a heavy-haul trailer attached to the tractor by means of a “jeep,” that meets the definition of a CMV under part 383 required to have a CDL with a double/triple trailer endorsement? FMCSA-CDL-383.93-Q07 Commercial Driver License Standards; Double/Triple Trailer Endorsements; Fifth Wheel
Guidance Q&A Question 11: When will training providers and other entities be able to register on the Training Provider Registry? FMCSA-ELDT-380.719-Q011 Commercial Driver License; Entry level Driver Training
May a farmer who meets all of the conditions for a farm waiver be waived from the CDL requirements when transporting another farmer’s products absent any written or verbal contract? FMCSA-CDL-383.3-Q20 Commercial Driver License Standards; Custom Harvesters; trees
May States accept applications for a CLP from individuals who are not domiciled in the State but who receive CDL training within the State, and administer the knowledge test to these individuals? FMCSA-CDL-383.73-Q04 Commercial Driver License Standards; Non-domiciled CLP Applications
Do tow truck operators who hold a CDL require endorsements to tow “endorsable” vehicles? FMCSA-CDL-383.93-Q08 Commercial Driver License Standards; Towing; Emergency and First Moves
§380.721 – Removal from training provider registry: factors considered Guidance Q&A Question 14: Can training providers be removed from the listing on the Training Provider Registry? FMCSA-ELDT-380.721-Q014 Commercial Driver License; Entry level Driver Training
May a State exempt CMV drivers employed by a partnership, corporation or an association engaged in farming from the CDL requirements under the farmer waiver (§ 383.3(d)) or is the waiver only available to drivers employed by a family-owned farm? FMCSA-CDL-383.3-Q21 Commercial Driver License Standards; Operators of a Farm Vehicle
Do third party skills test examiners have to meet all the requirements of State-employed examiners—i.e., all the State’s qualification and training standards? FMCSA-CDL-383.75-Q02 Commercial Driver License Standards; Third Party Testing
Must the licensing agency establish a commercial driver record, including a CDLIS pointer record, for a person holding a non-commercial license issued by that jurisdiction upon receiving notification of a conviction of any offense committed while (illegal FMCSA-STCDL-384.209-Q01 Guidance for establishing commercial driver record for non-CDL drivers convicted of operating a CMV without a CDL