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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
Do retractable or lift axles have to be equipped with brakes? FMCSA-VEH-393.42-Q01 Must lift axles have brakes?
May a triangular-shaped flag or device be used by itself to mark an oversized load? FMCSA-VEH-393.87-Q01 Triangular flag to mark oversized load
Driver vehicle inspection reports FMCSA-VM-396.11-Q012 Driver vehicle inspection reports
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
Are drivers required to include their total on-duty time for the previous 7 to 8 days (as applicable) on the driver’s record of duty status? FMCSA-HOS-395.8-Q16 Hours of Service Records of Duty Status
Question 2: § 396.3(b)(4) refers to a record of tests. What tests are required of push-out windows and emergency door lamps on buses? FMCSA-VM-396.3Q002 Vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance
A CMV becomes stuck in a median or on a shoulder, and has had no contact with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a fixed object prior to becoming stuck. If a tow truck is used to pull the CMV back onto the traveled portion of the road, would this be consid FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q012 Applicability of “accident” definition to stuck CMV
Question 1: Do possession and use of alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of a motorcoach constitute ‘‘possession’’ of such beverages under §392.5(a)(3)? FMCSA-DRV-392.5-Q001 Alcohol prohibition
A person involved in an incident discovers that he or she is injured after leaving the scene of the incident and receives medical attention at that time. Does the incident meet the definition of accident in 49 CFR 390.5T? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q020 Injury discovered after leaving scene of accident
Must a driver who is returning from an illness or injury undergo a medical examination even if his current medical certificate has not expired? FMCSA-MED-391.45-Q3 Driver Physical Qualification Examination