USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

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
Question 2: Must both drivers of a team operation comply with the provisions of §392.7 before driving? FMCSA-DRV-392.7-Q002 Driver pre-trip inspection
To what extent would the windshield and/or mirrors of a vehicle have to be damaged in order for it to be considered ‘‘disabling damage’’ as used in the definition of an accident in § 390.5T? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q013 Extent of definition of “disabling damage”
Does §391.43 of the FMCSRs require that physical examinations of applicants for employment be conducted by medical examiners employed by or designated by the carrier? FMCSA-MED-391.43-Q4 Driver Physical Qualification Examination
Why does §382.307(b) allow an employer to use indicators of chronic and withdrawal effects of controlled substances in the observations to conduct a controlled substances reasonable suspicion test, but does not allow similar effects of alcohol use to be u FMCSA-D&A-382.307-Q02 Drug & Alcohol Testing – Reasonable Suspicion
Is it permissible to make random selections by terminals? FMCSA-D&A-382.305-Q07 Guidance on making random selection be terminals
Is the exemption contained in §395.1(f) concerning department store deliveries during the period from December 10 to December 25 limited to only drivers employed by department stores? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-Q23 Hours of Service Exceptions
Does a frame channel of a CMV constitute a protective ‘‘sheath or tube’’ as specified in §393.28? FMCSA-VEH-393.28-Q01 Frame channel as protective “sheath or tube”
What is meant by the term "as required by law" in relation to State or local laws for disclosure of public records relating to a driver’s testing information and test results? FMCSA-D&A-382.405-Q05 Drug & Alcohol Testing Records - Access
How should time spent in transit on a ferry boat be recorded? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q12
Does § 393.83 specify the type of exhaust system, vertical or horizontal, to be used on trucks or truck tractors? FMCSA-VEH-393.83-Q02 Vertical vs. horizontal exhaust systems