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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
When an existing record becomes inactive and its replacement record becomes active or inactive‐ change‐requested, is it acceptable that the replacement record has the same sequence ID as the record it replaces? FMCSA-HOS-ELD-TECH-395-FAQ29 Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service – Technical Specifications
When creating an ELD file as specified in Section 4.9.2, when a field specifies activities on a per‐CMV basis (such as engine power‐up and shut‐down activities), which records should be included? FMCSA-HOS-ELD-TECH-395-FAQ30 Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service – Technical Specifications
In Section 4.6.1.7, the rule requires that “an ELD must verify [data transfer] functionality every seven days.” What does this mean? FMCSA-HOS-ELD-TECH-395-FAQ31 Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service – Technical Specifications
How should an ELD respond to battery issues, such as an ELD battery dying due to high temperatures or when charge power runs out? FMCSA-HOS-ELD-TECH-395-FAQ32 Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service – Technical Specifications
How will FMCSA ensure that the ELD data is transferred securely? FMCSA-HOS-ELD-TECH-395-FAQ33 Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service – Technical Specifications
Does the ELD rule require that the driver have editing capabilities? FMCSA-HOS-ELD-TECH-395-FAQ34 Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service – Technical Specifications
Section 4.8.1.2 of 49 CFR part 395 subpart B, Appendix A requires that an electronic logging device (ELD) without a printer be designed so that “the display may be reasonably viewed by an authorized safety official without entering the commercial motor... FMCSA-HOS-ELD-TECH-395-FAQ55(2017-09-01)-CORR1 ELD Guidance
ELD FAQ 56: Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service – Technical Specifications FMCSA-HOS-ELD-TECH-395-FAQ56-RESCINDED ELD Guidance
ELD FAQ 57: Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service – Technical Specifications FMCSA-HOS-ELD-TECH-395-FAQ57-RESCINDED ELD Guidance
Can the driver’s license information be omitted or redacted from the printed logs? FMCSA-HOS-ELD-TECH-395-FAQ58(2017-09-01)-CORR1 ELD Guidance