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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
If a CDL driver’s employer is aware that the driver received a traffic citation for driving a CMV while under the influence [and it] does not result in a conviction, may the driver petition to have this violation removed from their Clearinghouse record? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.717-FAQ003(2022-01-28) Controlled Substances and Alcohol Testing: State Driver’s Licensing Agency Non-Issuance/ Downgrade of Commercial Driver’s License
In addition to the SDLA requirements, does the October 2021 final rule have other impacts on the States? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.725-FAQ002(2022-01-28) Controlled Substances and Alcohol Testing: State Driver’s Licensing Agency Non-Issuance/ Downgrade of Commercial Driver’s License
What is considered acceptable documentary evidence of a non-conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) in a commercial motor vehicle (CMV)? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.717-FAQ002(2022-01-28) Controlled Substances and Alcohol Testing: State Driver’s Licensing Agency Non-Issuance/ Downgrade of Commercial Driver’s License
How will State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) use the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.725-FAQ001(2022-01-27) Controlled Substances and Alcohol Testing: State Driver’s Licensing Agency Non-Issuance/ Downgrade of Commercial Driver’s License
Is an employer required to conduct a pre-employment query of the Clearinghouse for a driver-applicant subject to 49 CFR Part 382 before administering a road test in accordance with 49 CFR 391.31? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.701-FAQ010(2022-01-27) Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing
What are the physical qualification requirements for operating a CMV in interstate commerce? FMCSA-MED-391.41-Q3(2022-01-21) Driver Physical Qualification Standards
Qualifications of Drivers; Vision Standard, 87 FR 3390 (Jan. 21, 2022) FMCSA-FR-87FR3390(2022-01-21) Driver Physical Qualification Standard for Vision
Is a motor carrier that is subject to Part 382 allowed to query the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) for drivers who hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) but who are operating only non-CDL-required commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in ... FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.701-FAQ009 Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
How do FMCSA’s ELDT regulations affect State-based training requirements? FMCSA-ELDT-380-Q027 Entry level Driver Training
If a driver takes 3 hours off-duty and then 10 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, will the 3 hours count against the driver's 14-hour "driving window"? FMCSA-HOS-2020-395-FAQ07 Hours of Service