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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 motor carrier relieves a driver from duty. What is a suitable facility for resting? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q22 Hours of Service Definitions
If a motor carrier operates under the 70-hour/8-day rule, does any aspect of the 60-hour rule apply to its operations? FMCSA-HOS-395.3-Q06 Hours of Service Maximum Driving Time
Can a for-hire motor carrier located in Canada transport farm supplies and/or equipment for agricultural purposes to a location in the U.S. without having to comply with Part 395? FMCSA-HOS-AG-395.1-FAQ32 Hours of Service Agricultural Commodities
May the driver combine the two sleeper berth periods to meet the required 10 consecutive hours of off-duty time per §395.1(g), then drive for up to 11 more hours? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-Q27 Hours of Service Exceptions
When a driver experiences a delay on an impassable highway, should the time he/she is delayed be entered on the record of duty status as driving time or on-duty (not driving)? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q25 Hours of Service Definitions
Are carriers liable for the actions of their employees even though the carrier contends that it did not require or permit the violations to occur? FMCSA-HOS-395.3-Q08 Hours of Service Maximum Driving Tim
Are there allowances made in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for delays caused by loading and unloading? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-Q04 Hours of Service of Exceptions
How should time spent at National Guard meetings and training sessions be recorded for the hours of service requirements? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q28 Hours of Service Definitions
How should a change of duty status for a short period of time be shown on the driver’s record of duty status? FMCSA-HOS-395.8-Q01 Hours of Service Records of Duty Status
How may a driver utilize the adverse driving conditions exception or the emergency conditions exception as found in §395.1(b), to preclude an hours of service violation? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-Q05 Hours of Service Exemptions