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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
After what period of time may an employer remove a casual driver from a random pool? FMCSA-D&A-382.305-Q09 Guidance on when an employer may remove a casual driver from the random pool
Are drivers required to be dedicated permanently to the oilfield industry? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-Q09 Hours of Service Exceptions
May sleeper berth time and off-duty periods be combined to meet the 10-hour off-duty requirement? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-Q25 Hours of Service Exceptions
Question 16: Can an SAP recommend that six follow-up tests be conducted in less than six months and then be suspended after all six are conducted? FMCSA-D&A-382.605-Q16 Drug & Alcohol Testing – Follow-up Testing Period
Question 19: What arrangement for SAP services would be acceptable in geographical areas where no qualified SAP is readily available? FMCSA-D&A-382.605-Q19 Drug & Alcohol Testing – SAP In-person Evaluation
When a driver experiences a delay on an impassable highway, should the time he/she is delayed be entered on the record of duty status as driving time or on-duty (not driving)? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q25 Hours of Service Definitions
When two safety chains are used, must the ultimate combined breaking strength of each chain be equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicle(s) or would the requirements be met if the combined breaking strength of the two chains is equal to the gross wei FMCSA-VEH-393.70-Q02 Required strength of safety chains
Do the rules for protection against shifting or falling cargo apply to CMVs with enclosed cargo areas? FMCSA-VEH-393.100-Q02 Do the rules on shifting or falling cargo apply to enclosed trucks and trailers?
Under the DOT rules, must an SAP be certified by the DOT in order to perform SAP functions? FMCSA-D&A-382.605-Q3 SAP Certification Rules
Are carriers liable for the actions of their employees even though the carrier contends that it did not require or permit the violations to occur? FMCSA-HOS-395.3-Q08 Hours of Service Maximum Driving Tim