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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
Section 390.23 provides that parts 390 through 399 do not apply to any motor carrier or driver operating a CMV to provide direct assistance in an emergency. Is a motor carrier or driver required to keep a record of the driver’s on-duty or driving time whi FMCSA-RG-390.23-Q002 Driver recordkeeping while providing assistance in an emergency
May a urine sample collected for purposes of performing a controlled substances and alcohol test be used to test for diabetes as part of a driver’s FMCSA-required physical examination? FMCSA-MED-391.43-Q2 Driver Physical Qualification Examination
Particularly in light of the coverage of Canadian and Mexican employees, how should Medical Review Officers (MRO) deal, in the verification process, with claims of the use of foreign prescriptions or over-the-counter medication? FMCSA-D&A-382.105-Q04 Applicability of Section 382.105
Are there allowances made in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for delays caused by loading and unloading? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-Q04 Hours of Service of Exceptions
Guidance on employer joining consortium FMCSA-D&A-382.305-Q12 Guidance on employer joining consortium
May an employer (motor carrier) disclose information required to be maintained under 49 CFR part 382 (pertaining to a driver) to the driver or the decision maker in a lawsuit, grievance, or other proceeding (including, but not limited to, worker’s compens FMCSA-D&A-382.405-Q004 Drug & Alcohol Testing Records - Access
How does compensation relate to on-duty time? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q10 Hours of Service Definitions
Does § 393.41 prohibit air brake systems from being equipped with a means to release the spring brakes for purposes of towing disabled vehicles in emergency situations? FMCSA-VEH-393.41-Q02 Releasing spring brakes for towing
What difference, if any, is there between a warning device and a warning signal? FMCSA-VEH-393.51-Q05 What’s the difference between a warning device and a warning signal?
Is a heat shield mandatory on a vertical exhaust stack? FMCSA-VEH-393.83-Q01 Heat shield on vertical exhaust stack?