USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

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
May a decal designed to comply with the periodic inspection documentation requirements of § 396.17 be displayed on the windshields or side windows of a CMV? FMCSA-VEH-393.60-Q02 May CVSA decals be displayed on windows?
Question 1: Some of a motor carrier’s vehicles are registered in a State with a mandated inspection program which has been determined to be as effective as the Federal periodic inspection program, but these vehicles are not used in that State. Is the mot FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q01.cm Mandatory periodic inspection under State program for vehicles domiciled elsewhere?
Question 2: May the due date for the next inspection satisfy the requirements for the inspection date on the sticker or decal? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q02.cm Inspection date on decal vs. next periodic inspection date
Question 3: Must each vehicle in a combination carry separate periodic inspection documentation? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q03.cm Separate periodic inspection documents for each unit in combination vehicle
Does the sticker have to be located in a specific location on the vehicle? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q04.cm Location of inspection sticker
Question 5: Is new equipment required to pass a periodic inspection under § 396.17? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q05.cm Periodic inspection requirements for new equipment
Are Government-owned trailers operated by private carriers subject to periodic inspection? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q06.cm Are Government-owned trailers operated by private carriers subject to period inspection?
Can a CMV with tires marked “Not for Highway Use” meet the periodic inspection requirements? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q07.cm
Does a periodic inspection decal exempt a CMV from roadside inspection? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q08.cm Does a periodic inspection decal exempt a CMV from roadside inspection?
Question 9: Is a State required to accept the periodic inspection program of another State having a periodic inspection program meeting minimum FMCSA standards as contained in appendix G to the FMCSRs? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q09.cm Federally-approved State inspections must be accepted by all other States