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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
How does the “8 days within a 30-day period” ELD Exemption apply to Canada/Mexico domiciled motor carrier’s drivers when they are operating in the United States? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ006 Cross Border Transportation ELDs
How will the U.S. ELD rule apply to a Canada/Mexico domiciled company operating a commercial rental truck in the United States? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ005 Cross Border Transportation ELDs
What must a Canada/Mexico domiciled motor carrier’s driver do if an ELD malfunction prevents presenting HOS to a safety official at roadside by electronic data transfer, display screen or printout? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ004 Cross Border Transportation ELDs
Must a Canada or Mexico domiciled motor carrier use an ELD that (1) meets the U.S technical specifications and (2) is self-certified and registered with FMCSA to present hours of service when operating in the U.S.? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ003-RESCINDED Cross Border Transportation ELDs
If a Canada/Mexico domiciled company with a terminal in the United States dispatches a driver from one of its Canada/Mexico location to move a vehicle to its U.S. terminal for use in the U.S., is the vehicle move considered a driveaway/towaway operation? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ009-RESCINDED Cross Border Transportation ELDs
Are Canadian Armed Forces exempt from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), including the ELD requirements, if they have proper documentation when operating in the United States? FMCSA-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ71 ELD requirements for foreign-domiciled motor carriers.
Are Canadian Armed Forces exempt from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), including the ELD requirements, if they have proper documentation when operating in the United States? FMCSA-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ71 ELD requirements for foreign-domiciled motor carriers
If a Canada/Mexico domiciled motor carrier’s vehicle registration for a CMV reflects a model year of 2000 or newer, but the engine plate or documentation from the manufacturer indicates that the engine is older than model year 2000, is the CMV exempt from FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ011 Cross Border Transportation ELDs
Is a Canada/Mexico domiciled motor carrier’s driver, who is exempt under the 100 air-mile radius exception, still exempt from using an ELD when entering the United States more than 8 times in a 30-day period? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ010 Cross Border Transportation ELDs
Does the 100 air-mile radius exception apply to cross-border operations? FMCSA-BOR-ELD-395-FAQ007 Cross Border Transportation ELDs