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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
How do I change the type of authority I have (for Mexico-domiciled carriers)? FMCSA-BOR-REG-FAQ006 Registration requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
Does a Mexico-domiciled motor carrier need a US DOT number and/or operating authority if they are crossing the U.S. border in a pick-up truck (small van, car or tow truck etc.) for an occasional trip to deliver goods and only traveling one or two miles FMCSA-BOR-REG-FAQ001 Registration 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
Will a Canada/Mexico domiciled motor carrier’s driver be required to use ELDs if they conduct drive-away/tow-away operations in the U.S. and the vehicle being driven is the commodity being delivered? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ008-RESCINDED Cross Border Transportation ELDs
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
Requirement that commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers operating in the United States in interstate commerce, except drivers of passenger-carrying CMVs, submit, and motor carriers retain FMCSA-BOR-DVIR-396-FAQ001 Driver vehicle inspection reports
Medical Qualification FAQ – CANADIAN Medical Certificates - FAQ1 FMCSA-BOR-MED-MedicalCertficate-FAQ001 Medical qualifications requirement for foreign-domiciled motor carriers
What is the maximum driving time a CMV driver of property may drive in the United States? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-395-FAQ005 Cross-border hours-of-service requirements
For drivers transporting property, are there differences between Canadian and U.S. HOS regulations for driving after on-duty time? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-395-FAQ008 Cross-border hours-of-service requirements
Medical Qualification FAQ – Waivers – Q4 FMCSA-BOR-MED-DRV-WAIVER-FAQ004 Medical qualifications requirement for foreign-domiciled motor carriers.