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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
May windshields and side windows be tinted? FMCSA-VEH-393.60-Q01 Tinting of windshields and side windows
Regulatory Guidance for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, 62 Fed. Reg. 16370 FMCSA-FR-62FR16370.1997.04.04 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
If a motor carrier operates under the 70-hour/8-day rule, does any aspect of the 60-hour rule apply to its operations? FMCSA-HOS-395.3-Q06 Hours of Service Maximum Driving Time
Question 1: If a DVIR does not indicate that certain defects have been repaired, and the motor carrier has not certified in writing that such repairs were considered unnecessary, may the driver refuse to operate the motor vehicle? FMCSA-VM-396.13-Q1.cm Prohibition to operate vehicle without certification of repairs
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
Is a driver (United States or foreign) required to maintain a record of duty status (log book) in a foreign country before entering the U.S.? FMCSA-HOS-395.8-Q25 RODS requirement in foreign country prior to entering the US
Are the FMCSRs applicable to drivers and CMVs which transport tools, equipment, and supplies across State lines in a CMV? FMCSA-RG-390.3T-Q002 Applicability of FMCSRs to work trucks
A company has a truck with a GVWR under 10,001 pounds towing a trailer with a GVWR under 10,001 pounds. However, the GVWR of the truck added to the GVWR of the trailer is greater than 10,001 pounds. Would the company operating this vehicle in interstate c FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q011 Applicability of FMCSRs to combination vehicles with individual GVWs under 10,001 pounds, but GCWRs above 10,001 pounds
If a driver submits an application for employment and has someone else type, write, or print the answers to the questions for him and he signs the application, does this constitute a valid application? FMCSA-DQ-391.21-Q001 Driver application for employment