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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
Question 1: What is meant by ‘‘systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance?” FMCSA-VM-396.3-Q001 Vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance
May the Form MCS-90B required by part 387 for proof of minimum financial responsibility be modified? FMCSA-INS-387.39-Q002 Modification of Form MCS-90B
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
Question 3: Who has the responsibility of inspecting and maintaining leased vehicles and their maintenance records? FMCSA-VM-396.3-Q003 Vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance
When the driver’s duty status changes, do §§395.8(c) or 395.8(h)(5) require a description of on-duty not driving activities in the remarks section in addition to the name of the nearest city, town or village followed by the State abbreviation? FMCSA-HOS-395.8-Q23 Requirements for on-duty not driving descriptions
Question 4: Is computerized recordkeeping of CMV inspection and maintenance information permissible under § 396.3 of the FMCSRs? FMCSA-VM-396.3-Q004 Vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance
When must a driver complete the signature/certification of the driver’s record of duty status? FMCSA-HOS-395.8-Q24 certification of RODS
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
Is a driver (United States or foreign) required to maintain a record of duty status (log book) in a foreign country before entering the U.S.? FMCSA-HOS-395.8-Q25 RODS requirement in foreign country prior to entering the US
Question 2: § 396.3(b)(4) refers to a record of tests. What tests are required of push-out windows and emergency door lamps on buses? FMCSA-VM-396.3Q002 Vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance