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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
What does the foot accommodation rule mean when it states: "The step need not retain the disc at rest"? FMCSA-RG-399.207-FAQ02 Access requirements for truck and truck-tractor cabs
Question 1: What is the fine or penalty for employers who refuse or fail to provide Part 382 testing information to a subsequent employer? FMCSA-D&A-382.507-Q01 Drug & Alcohol Testing – Failure to Comply with Request for Testing Information
When a driver fails to meet the provisions of the 100 air-mile radius exemption (section 395.1(e)), is the driver required to have copies of his/her records of duty status for the previous seven days? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-Q21 Hours of Service
Must a motor carrier respond to a third-party administrator’s request (as directed by the specific, written consent of the driver authorizing release of the information on behalf of an entity such as a motor carrier) to release driver information that is FMCSA-D&A-382.405-Q02 Drug & Alcohol Testing Records - Access
Does § 393.41 prohibit air brake systems from being equipped with a means to release the spring brakes for purposes of towing disabled vehicles in emergency situations? FMCSA-VEH-393.41-Q02 Releasing spring brakes for towing
What difference, if any, is there between a warning device and a warning signal? FMCSA-VEH-393.51-Q05 What’s the difference between a warning device and a warning signal?
Is a heat shield mandatory on a vertical exhaust stack? FMCSA-VEH-393.83-Q01 Heat shield on vertical exhaust stack?
May a driver domiciled in the United States comply with the Canadian hours of service regulations while driving in Canada? FMCSA-HOS-395.3-Q05 Hours of Service Maximum Driving Time
Do Canadian Provincial inspections meet FMCSA standards? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q10.cm Do Canadian Provincial inspections meet FMCSA standards?
Question 2: Is there a specific form or format to be used in ensuring that inspectors are qualified in accordance with § 396.19? FMCSA-VM-396.19-Q02.cm Is there an inspector qualification form?