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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
Does the sticker have to be located in a specific location on the vehicle? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q04.cm Location of inspection sticker
Question 5: Is new equipment required to pass a periodic inspection under § 396.17? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q05.cm Periodic inspection requirements for new equipment
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?
Can a CMV with tires marked “Not for Highway Use” meet the periodic inspection requirements? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q07.cm
Does a periodic inspection decal exempt a CMV from roadside inspection? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q08.cm Does a periodic inspection decal exempt a CMV from roadside inspection?
Question 9: Is a State required to accept the periodic inspection program of another State having a periodic inspection program meeting minimum FMCSA standards as contained in appendix G to the FMCSRs? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q09.cm Federally-approved State inspections must be accepted by all other States
Do Canadian Provincial inspections meet FMCSA standards? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q10.cm Do Canadian Provincial inspections meet FMCSA standards?
Is there a required form for the periodic inspection? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q11.cm
May a State require a higher level of financial responsibility coverage than is required by part 387? FMCSA-INS-387.1-Q001 State financial responsibility requirements
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