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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
Are the requirements of § 393.100 the only cargo securement requirements motor carriers must comply with? FMCSA-VEH-393.100-Q01 What cargo securement requirements must carriers meet?
Do the rules for protection against shifting or falling cargo apply to CMVs with enclosed cargo areas? FMCSA-VEH-393.100-Q02 Do the rules on shifting or falling cargo apply to enclosed trucks and trailers?
Does § 393.104(e) prohibit the use of securement devices for which manufacturing standards have not been incorporated by reference? FMCSA-RG-393.104Q01 Must carriers use only securement devices for which manufacturing standards have been incorporated by reference?
Does § 393.104(b) require that securement devices be marked or labeled with their working load limit or any other information? FMCSA-VEH-393.104-Q02 Marking of securement devices with working load limits
If an item of construction equipment which weighs less than 4,536 kg (10,000 lb.) is transported on a flatbed or drop-deck trailer, must the accessory equipment be lowered to the deck of the trailer? FMCSA-VEH-393.130-Q01 Must cargo weighing less than 10,000 pounds be transported on the deck of a trailer?
How should I secure the accessories for an item of construction equipment which weighs 4,536 kg (10,000 lb.) or more, if the accessory devices would extend beyond the width of the trailer if they are lowered to the deck for transport? FMCSA-RG-393.130Q02 How should the overwidth accessories of construction equipment be secured?
A tractor loader-backhoe weighing over 10,000 pounds is being transported on a trailer. FMCSA-VEH-393.130-Q03 Securing a backhoe and accessories to the trailer
Are cross members of CMVs considered part of the frame? FMCSA-VEH-393.201-Q01 Are cross members part of the CMV frame?
Must an SAP evaluation be conducted in person or may it be conducted telephonically? FMCSA-D&A-382.605-Q1 Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing, Referral, Evaluation, Treatment
Must an SAP evaluation be conducted in person or may it be conducted telephonically? FMCSA-D&A-382.605-Q1 Guidance on SAP evaluation