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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
What is the applicability of the FMCSRs to school bus operations performed by Indian Tribal Governments? FMCSA-RG-390.3T-Q012 Applicability of FMCSRs to Indian school bus operations
Section § 385.415: What operational requirements apply to the transportation of a hazardous material for which a permit is required? FMCSA-HMSP-385.415-Q001 Hazardous Materials Safety Permits
Is a driver training school required to keep a driver qualification file on each student? FMCSA-DQ-391.51-Q002 Driver qualification files
Is it permissible to select alternates for the purpose of complying with the Random Testing regulations? FMCSA-D&A-382.305-FAQ012 Selecting alternates for the purpose of complying with the random testing regulations
If a driver was grandfathered from the skills test when he or she obtained a CDL, may an employer forego the administration of a road test as required by §391.31? FMCSA-DQ-391.33-Q001 Road test equivalent
If a motor carriers sends a potential interstate driver to a medical examiner to have both a pre-employment medical examination and a pre-employment controlled substances test performed, how must the medical examiner conduct the medical examination ... FMCSA-MED-391.43-Q7 Drug Testing and Driver Physical Qualification Examination
Does the emergency conditions exception in 49 CFR 395.1(b)(2) apply to a driver who planned on arriving at a specific rest area to complete his 11 hours driving and found the rest area full, forcing the driver to continue past the 11 hours driving looking FMCSA-HOS-395.1-FAQ28 Hours of Service Exceptions
If an employee admits to alcohol misuse or drug use, when is it appropriate for the employer to apply the exception in §382.121? FMCSA-D&A-382.121-FAQ002 Employee admission of alcohol and controlled substances use
May an employer conduct a road test administered in accordance with 49 CFR §391.31 prior to driver-applicant subject to 49 CFR §382 submits to a pre-employment controlled substances test? FMCSA-D&A-382.301-FAQ004 Whether an employer may administer a road test to a prospective driver subject to Part 382 without first conducting a pre-employment test
Does the exception in §395.1(k) for “drivers transporting agricultural commodities or farm supplies for agricultural purposes” cover the transportation of poultry or poultry feed? FMCSA-HOS-AG-395.1-FAQ30 Hours of Service Agricultural Commodities