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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
Are drivers required to annotate an adverse driving condition they encountered on their electronic logging device (ELD)? FMCSA-HOS-2020-395-FAQ15 Hours of Service
What rest periods qualify for the split sleeper berth provision? FMCSA-HOS-2020-395-FAQ02 Hours of Service
How are split sleeper berth rest periods used in determining compliance with the 14-hour "driving window" rule? FMCSA-HOS-2020-395-FAQ04 Hours of Service
If a driver takes 3 hours off-duty and then 10 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, will the 3 hours count against the driver's 14-hour "driving window"? FMCSA-HOS-2020-395-FAQ07 Hours of Service
What is a "qualifying rest break or sleeper berth period" under the definition of adverse driving conditions? FMCSA-HOS-2020-395-FAQ11 Hours of Service
Emergency Conditions Exceptions –Applicability to Civil Disturbance FMCSA-HOS-395.1-Q28 HOS Emergency Conditions Exception -- Applicability to Civil Disturbance
Part 390 § 390.23 Relief from regulationsIs the driver required to use a paper logbook or ELD when providing direct assistance under an emergency declaration? FMCSA-RG-390.23-FAQ019 Emergency Declarations
Part 390 § 390.23 Relief from regulations Is the time spent driving to pick up a truck regulated as on duty time? FMCSA-RG-390.23-FAQ024 Emergency Declarations
Does the exception in §395.1(k) for “drivers transporting agricultural commodities or farm supplies for agricultural purposes” cover the transportation of poultry or poultry feed? FMCSA-HOS-AG-395.1-FAQ30 Hours of Service Agricultural Commodities
If a driver drives in a non-commercial vehicle to take a physical examination, should the duty status be recorded as on-duty not driving, or as off-duty? Would the answer change if the motor carrier directs the driver to go for the examination? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q32 Hours of Service Definitions