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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
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
Driver vehicle inspection report FMCSA-VM-396.11-Q013 Driver vehicle inspection report
Question 1: Some of a motor carrier’s vehicles are registered in a State with a mandated inspection program which has been determined to be as effective as the Federal periodic inspection program, but these vehicles are not used in that State. Is the mot FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q01.cm Mandatory periodic inspection under State program for vehicles domiciled elsewhere?
Question 1: What recordkeeping requirements under § 396.21 is a carrier subject to when it utilizes an FMCSA-approved State inspection program? FMCSA-VM-396.21-Q01.cm Recordkeeping requirements when using approved State inspection program
Question 5: Where must vehicle inspection and maintenance records be retained if a vehicle is not housed or maintained at a single location? FMCSA-VM-396.3-Q005 Vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance
Does the FMCSA define for-hire transportation of passengers the same as the former ICC did? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q010 For-hire transportation of passengers
§391.15 Disqualification of drivers. FMCSA-DQ-391.15-Q001 Driver disqualification
Question 1: What protection is afforded a driver for refusing to violate the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs)? FMCSA-DRV-392.3-Q001 Ill or fatigued driver