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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
Do Canada and the United States have similar HOS regulations regarding 30-minute break periods? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-395-FAQ009 Cross-border hours-of-service requirements
What is the difference between provisional operating authority registration and standard operating authority registration granted to Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate beyond the U.S.-Mexico border commercial zones and municipalities? FMCSA-BOR-MX LONG-HAUL-FAQ004 Mexico-domiciled motor carrier long haul operations
After the FMCSA receives my application, what will happen next? FMCSA-BOR-MX LONG-HAUL-FAQ005 Mexico-domiciled motor carrier long haul operations
What insurance and proof of financial responsibility do I need to operate in the U.S.? FMCSA-BOR-MX-FAQ003 Insurance requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
If a Canada/Mexico domiciled motor carrier’s vehicle registration for a CMV reflects a model year of 2000 or newer, but the engine plate or documentation from the manufacturer indicates that the engine is older than model year 2000, is the CMV exempt from FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ011 Cross Border Transportation ELDs
What must a Canada/Mexico domiciled motor carrier’s driver do if an ELD malfunction prevents presenting HOS to a safety official at roadside by electronic data transfer, display screen or printout? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ004 Cross Border Transportation ELDs
My trucks have both Mexico and U.S. license plates. Can I put my MX Number and my MC Number on the same truck? FMCSA-BOR-MX-FAQ005 Vehicle marking requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
Must the files that I maintain in order to comply with the FMCSRs be in English? FMCSA-BOR-MX-FAQ004 Recordkeeping requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
Must a Canada or Mexico domiciled motor carrier use an ELD that (1) meets the U.S technical specifications and (2) is self-certified and registered with FMCSA to present hours of service when operating in the U.S.? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ003-RESCINDED Cross Border Transportation ELDs
Does a copy of the front page of the MX Certificate of Registration satisfy the regulation 387.303(b)(4) or must a carrier have all of the pages of the Certificate on board the vehicle? FMCSA-BOR-MX-FAQ001 Registration requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers