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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
§380.600 – Compliance date for training requirements for entry-level drivers FMCSA-ELDT-380.600-Q007 Commercial Driver License; Entry level Driver Training
Actual Knowledge – traffic citation: Would a document, other than a traffic citation, charging an employee-driver with operating a CMV while under the influence of drugs or alcohol provide a sufficient basis for the employer’s actual knowledge, as defined FMCSA-D&A-382.107-FAQ002 Guidance on what charging documents provide a sufficient basis for the employer’s actual knowledge.
Must a motor carrier that uses a 100-air-mile radius driver write zero (0) hours on the time record for each day the driver is off duty (not working for the motor carrier)? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-FAQ29 Hours of Service
§385.1 Who must hold a safety permit. FMCSA-HMSP-385.403-Q001-RESCINDED Hazardous Materials Safety Permits
Does fuel used in the production of agricultural commodities qualify as “farm supplies” under 49 CFR 395.1(k)? FMCSA-HOS-AG-395.1-FAQ31 Hours of Service Agricultural Commodities
Hours of Service Exceptions FMCSA-HOS-395.1-FAQ33 Hours of Service Exceptions
Do the FMCSRs apply to Indian Tribal Governments? FMCSA-RG-390.3T-Q020 Applicability of FMCSRs to Indian Tribal Governments
Are volunteer drivers subject to alcohol and drug testing? FMCSA-D&A-382.103-FAQ007 Applicability of drug and alcohol testing requirements to volunteer drivers
If a driver drives in a non-commercial vehicle to take a physical examination, should the duty status be recorded as on-duty not driving, or as off-duty? Would the answer change if the motor carrier directs the driver to go for the examination? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q32 Hours of Service Definitions
If a driver is required repeatedly to respond to satellite or similar communications received during a 10-hour off-duty period (8-hour off-duty period for passenger transportation), does this activity affect a driver’s duty status? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q31 Hours of Service Definitions