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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
When a driver fails to meet the provisions of the 100 air-mile radius exemption (section 395.1(e)), is the driver required to have copies of his/her records of duty status for the previous seven days? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-Q21 Hours of Service
Must a motor carrier respond to a third-party administrator’s request (as directed by the specific, written consent of the driver authorizing release of the information on behalf of an entity such as a motor carrier) to release driver information that is FMCSA-D&A-382.405-Q02 Drug & Alcohol Testing Records - Access
Is a warning device required in a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) with a single hydraulic brake system which uses the driveline parking brake as the emergency brake system? FMCSA-VEH-393.51-Q04 Is a warning device required on a hydraulic brake system with driveline parking brake as emergency brake?
Do the FMCSRs specify what type of horn is to be used on a CMV? FMCSA-VEH-393.81-Q01 Type of horn on CMV
Driver vehicle inspection reports FMCSA-VM-396.11-Q007 Driver vehicle inspection reports
Does a periodic inspection decal exempt a CMV from roadside inspection? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q08.cm Does a periodic inspection decal exempt a CMV from roadside inspection?
Question 1: What is meant by ‘‘systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance?” FMCSA-VM-396.3-Q001 Vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance
Would the accident report retention requirement in §390.15(b)(2) include an ‘‘Adjuster’s Report’’ that is normally considered to be an internal document of an insurance company? FMCSA-RG-390.15-Q002 Retention of insurance “adjuster’s report”
Are mobile cranes operating in interstate commerce considered CMVs, and are they subject to the FMCSRs? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q009 Are mobile cranes CMVs subject to the FMCSRs?
If an interstate driver tests positive for alcohol or controlled substances under part 382, must the driver be medically re-examined and obtain a new medical examiner’s certificate to drive again? FMCSA-MED-391.41-Q5 Driver Physical Qualification Standards