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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
Is the driver allowed to record his stops during a tour of duty as off-duty time when the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is laden with HM and the CMV is parked in a truck stop parking lot? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q04 Hours of Service Definitions
May a vehicle transport HM when equipped with retreaded tires? FMCSA-VEH-393.75-Q02 Retreaded tires to transport hazardous material
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?
Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports FMCSA-VM-396.11-Q002 Driver vehicle inspection reports
Are Government-owned trailers operated by private carriers subject to periodic inspection? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q06.cm Are Government-owned trailers operated by private carriers subject to period inspection?
How does a Mexican motor carrier prove that it is complying with §387.7? FMCSA-INS-387.7-Q003 Proof of required financial responsibility by Mexican motor carrier
Does the exemption for the transportation of school children end at the high school level or does it extend to educational institutions beyond high school, for example junior college or college? FMCSA-INS-387.27-Q005 Extension of school transportation exemption beyond high school
Does § 396.11 require the DVIR to be turned in each day by a driver dispatched on a trip of more than one day’s duration? FMCSA-VM-396.11-Q001 Driver vehicle inspection reports
Is a driver service or leasing company that is not a motor carrier permitted to perform annual reviews of driving records (§391.25) on the drivers it furnishes to motor carriers? FMCSA-DQ-391.25-Q002 Driving record annual inquiry
Is a driver training school required to keep a driver qualification file on each student? FMCSA-DQ-391.51-Q002 Driver qualification files