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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
Must a driver engaged in union activities affecting the employing motor carrier record such time as on-duty (not driving) time? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q16 Hours of Service Definitions
If a crack extended into the thickness of the glass at such an angle FMCSA-VEH-393.60-Q03 Definition of ¼” windshield crack
May a rubber stamp signature be used on a driver’s record of duty status? FMCSA-HOS-395.8-Q02 Hours of Service Records of Duty Status
May a State require a higher level of financial responsibility coverage than is required by part 387? FMCSA-INS-387.1-Q001 State financial responsibility requirements
What is the definition of a "hopper type" vehicle as indicated in §387.9? FMCSA-INS-387.9-Q003 Definition of “hopper type” vehicle in 49 CFR 387.9
Question 1: Under what conditions may a vehicle that has been placed ‘‘out of service’’ under § 396.3 be moved? FMCSA-VM-396.9-Q001 Vehicle inspections
Is the tillerman who controls the steerable rear axle of a vehicle so equipped a driver subject to the FMCSRs while operating in interstate commerce? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q014 Applicability of FMCSRs to tillermen
§391.21(b)(11) requires that an application for employment contain 10 years of prior employment information on the driver. FMCSA-DQ-391.21-Q003 391.21, application, driver application, employment history, Mexico, Mexican driver, Canada, Canadian Driver Licencia Federal
Question 3: How may the motor carrier determine safe loading when a shipper has loaded and sealed the trailer? FMCSA-DRV-392.9-Q003 Inspection of cargo and cargo securement
An employer or State government agency requires CDLs for drivers of motor vehicles: (1) with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less; (2) with a GCWR of 26,000 pounds or less inclusive of a towed unit with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less; (3) designed to transpor FMCSA-D&A-382.103-Q04 Applicability of part 382 to CMVs below 26,001 pounds