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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
On May 9, 2011, FMCSA revised the definition of “tank vehicle.” Does the new definition cover the transportation of empty Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) or other tanks, or empty storage tanks? FMCSA-CDL-383.5-Q9 Commercial Driver License Standards; Tank Vehicle
On May 9, 2011, FMCSA revised the definition of “tank vehicle” to include any CMV that is designed to transport any liquid or gaseous materials within a tank or tanks having an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons or more that is either perm FMCSA-CDL-383.5-Q8 Commercial Driver License Standards; Tank Vehicle
A driver operates a combination vehicle with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more. The tractor is towing a semitrailer and a full trailer, each with a GVWR of less than 10,000 pounds. Is this combination a Group A vehicle that requires a driver with a Class A FMCSA-CDL-383.5-Q7 Commercial Driver License Standards; Bladder Bags
Must operators of motor graders or motor scrapers obtain CDLs and be subject to controlled substances and alcohol testing if they operate the equipment on public roads? FMCSA-CDL-383.5-Q5 Commercial Driver License Standards; Motor Graders, Scrapers
One definition of CMV is a vehicle “designed to transport” 16 or more passengers, including the driver. Does that include standing passengers if the vehicle was specifically designed to accommodate standees? FMCSA-CDL-383.5-Q4 Commercial Driver License Standards; Designed to Transport
Does the definition of a CMV in § 383.5 of the CDL requirements include parking lot and/or street sweeping vehicles and is a driver of such a vehicle required to have a CDL? FMCSA-CDL-383.5-Q3 Commercial Driver License Standards; State Contracts
What documentation must be maintained by an employer to serve as evidence that the employer, or their designated consortium/third-party administrator (C/TPA), obtained consent for each query conducted? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.703-FAQ002 Guidance on consent form retention requirements
Are CDL drivers required to register for the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.703-FAQ003 Guidance on Clearinghouse registration requirements for drivers
Can a driver be assigned driver records recorded under the Unidentified Driver profile and indicate a special driving category at the time the driver is assigned the driver records? FMCSA-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ60(2018-12-19)-CORR1 ELD Guidance
Can a driver edit their record after erroneously accepting a driving event that was originally recorded under the Unidentified Driver profile? FMCSA-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ61(2018-12-19)-CORR1 ELD Guidance