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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 is the 50 percent driving time in the definition of “driver-salesperson” in §395.2 determined? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q17 Hours of Service Definitions
Are unladen converter dollies covered by the exemption in § 393.42(b)(2)? FMCSA-VEH-393.42-Q02 Are unladen converter dollies covered by brake exception for driveaway-towaway operations?
Does § 393.88 restrict the use of closed circuit monitor devices being used as a safety viewing system that would eliminate blind-side motor carrier accidents? FMCSA-VEH-393.88-Q01 Use of closed-circuit TV to monitor blind spots
May an inspector certify a CMV as meeting the periodic inspection standards of § 396.17 if he/she cannot see all components required to be inspected under appendix G? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q12.cm Inspection certification requires examining all components
Question 1: Can a violation-free CVSA Level I or Level V inspection be used to satisfy the periodic inspection requirements of § 396.17? FMCSA-VM-396.23-Q01.cm Does CVSA Level I or V inspection satisfy the periodic inspection requirement?
Question 2: § 396.3(b)(4) refers to a record of tests. What tests are required of push-out windows and emergency door lamps on buses? FMCSA-VM-396.3Q002 Vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance
A CMV becomes stuck in a median or on a shoulder, and has had no contact with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a fixed object prior to becoming stuck. If a tow truck is used to pull the CMV back onto the traveled portion of the road, would this be consid FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q012 Applicability of “accident” definition to stuck CMV
Question 1: Do possession and use of alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of a motorcoach constitute ‘‘possession’’ of such beverages under §392.5(a)(3)? FMCSA-DRV-392.5-Q001 Alcohol prohibition
Are Alaskan drivers with a CDL who operate Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)s and have been waived from certain CDL requirements subject to controlled substances and alcohol testing? FMCSA-D&A-382.103-Q05 Applicability of part 382 to Alaskan Drivers
May an automatic on-board recording device use an algorithm to identify the location of each change in duty status relative to the nearest city, town, or village? FMCSA-ELD-HOS-395.15-Q03 AOBRD use of algorithm