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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
The driver has logged one or more 13-hour driving periods while in Canada during the previous 7 days, but has complied with all the FMCSRs while operating in the U.S. Has the driver violated the 11-hour driving requirement in the U.S.? FMCSA-HOS-395.3-Q04 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
Can a CMV with tires marked “Not for Highway Use” meet the periodic inspection requirements? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q07.cm
Question 1: May an entity other than a motor carrier maintain the evidence of inspector qualifications required by § 396.19(b)? FMCSA-VM-396.19-Q01 May a garage maintain evidence of inspector qualifications
Do the definitions of "farm", "farmer" and "agricultural crops" apply to greenhouse operations? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q001 Applicability of farm-related definitions to greenhouse operations
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