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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Are there plans to support an employer interface allowing for automated uploads via a web service, or similar? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ033 | Guidance on Clearinghouse Webservice interface | |
| How will State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) use the Clearinghouse? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.725-FAQ001-RESCINDED | Guidance on SDLA Use of the Clearinghouse | |
| Can I initiate queries for a large number of drivers without having to enter them into the system one at a time? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ005 | Guidance on how to enter a bulk query in the Clearinghouse | |
| What is considered actual knowledge of a violation? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.705-FAQ002 | Guidance on employer and C/TPA responsibility for reporting actual knowledge violations to the Clearinghouse | |
| What is the timeframe in which an employer must submit a report of an employee’s drug and alcohol program violation to the Clearinghouse? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ017 | Guidance on Employer Violation Reporting Timeframe | |
| How are substance abuse professionals (SAPs) required to use the Clearinghouse? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.705-FAQ011 | Guidance on SAP Use of the Clearinghouse | |
| How do I manage my company’s Clearinghouse user accounts? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ024 | Guidance on managing user account | |
| Is the annual requirement for employee queries based upon the calendar year or by hire date? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.701-FAQ001-RESCINDED | Guidance on Clearinghouse Annual Query Date | |
| Is an employer required to conduct pre-employment and annual Clearinghouse queries for drivers who are in a random testing pool regulated by another DOT agency? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.701-FAQ006 | Guidance on whether an employer is required to conduct pre-employment and annual Clearinghouse queries for drivers who are in a random testing pool regulated by another DOT agency. | |
| Can a Clearinghouse Assistant accept invitations from multiple Administrators? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ003 | Guidance on Multiple Assistant Clearinghouse Accounts |