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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
Driver vehicle inspection report FMCSA-VM-396.11-Q009 Driver vehicle inspection Certification
Question 9: Is a State required to accept the periodic inspection program of another State having a periodic inspection program meeting minimum FMCSA standards as contained in appendix G to the FMCSRs? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q09.cm Federally-approved State inspections must be accepted by all other States
Is the financial responsibility requirement met when an owner-operator (lessor) provides the motor carrier (lessee) a copy of the policy and Form MCS-90 where the carrier is named as an additional insured to the policy (Form MCS-90)? FMCSA-INS-387.7-Q004 Compliance with financial responsibility requirements where carrier leases vehicle from owner operator
Is the use of a facsimile signature (e.g., printed, stamped, autopenned, etc.) on the Form MCS-90B endorsement acceptable? FMCSA-INS-387.39-Q003 Describe Contents of Document
If a vehicle with a manufacturer’s GVWR of less than 10,001 pounds has been structurally modified to carry a heavier load, may an enforcement officer use the higher actual gross weight of the vehicle, instead of the GVWR, to determine the applicability of FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q004 Applicability of FMCSRs to vehicle modified to carry heavier loads
If a driver is convicted of one of the specified offenses in §391.15(c), but is allowed to retain his driver’s license, is he/she still disqualified? FMCSA-DQ-391.15-Q007 Driver disqualification
What markings must be displayed on a CMV when used by two or more motor carriers? FMCSA-RG-390.21-Q001 Marking of CMVs used by multiple carriers
Question 2: Are motorcoach passengers required to wear seat belts? FMCSA-DRV-392.16-Q002 Use of seat belts
Question 1: Must a driver prepare a written report of a pre-trip inspection performed under §392.7? FMCSA-DRV-392.7-Q001 Driver pre-trip inspection
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