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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
A person involved in an incident discovers that he or she is injured after leaving the scene of the incident and receives medical attention at that time. Does the incident meet the definition of accident in 49 CFR 390.5T? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q020 Injury discovered after leaving scene of accident
Must a driver who is returning from an illness or injury undergo a medical examination even if his current medical certificate has not expired? FMCSA-MED-391.45-Q3 Driver Physical Qualification Examination
When a driver works for two or more employers, in whose random pool must the driver be included? FMCSA-D&A-382.305-Q08 Guidance on including in the random pool drivers who work for two or more employers
May a system such as ‘‘driveline brakes’’ be used as an emergency brake provided it complies with the requirements of § 393.52? FMCSA-VEH-393.40-Q01 “Driveline brake” as emergency brakes
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