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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
Is the tillerman who controls the steerable rear axle of a vehicle so equipped a driver subject to the FMCSRs while operating in interstate commerce? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q014 Applicability of FMCSRs to tillermen
§391.21(b)(11) requires that an application for employment contain 10 years of prior employment information on the driver. FMCSA-DQ-391.21-Q003 391.21, application, driver application, employment history, Mexico, Mexican driver, Canada, Canadian Driver Licencia Federal
Question 3: How may the motor carrier determine safe loading when a shipper has loaded and sealed the trailer? FMCSA-DRV-392.9-Q003 Inspection of cargo and cargo securement
What is meant by the terms "use alcohol" or "alcohol use"? Is observation of use sufficient or is an alcohol test result required? FMCSA-D&A-382.205-Q01 On-duty alcohol use
Question 1: Does §382.603 require employers to provide recurrent training to supervisory personnel? FMCSA-D&A-382.603-Q01 Drug & Alcohol Testing – Training for Supervisors
What kinds of oilfield equipment may drivers operate while taking advantage of the special rule of Section 395.1(d)(2)? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-Q08 Hours of Service Exceptions
How does a driver record the hours spent driving in a school bus operation when he/she also drives a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for a company subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs)? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q21 Hours of Service Definitions
Are tractor protection valves required by § 393.43(b), or may similar devices be used? FMCSA-VEH-393.43-Q01 Are tractor protection valves required?
Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports FMCSA-VM-396.11-Q016 Driver vehicle inspection reports
Question 3: Must each vehicle in a combination carry separate periodic inspection documentation? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q03.cm Separate periodic inspection documents for each unit in combination vehicle