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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
What is the definition of ‘‘body’’ with respect to trucks and trailers? FMCSA-VEH-393.11-Q01
Question 21: Are foreign motor carriers required to have an employee assistance program? FMCSA-D&A-382.605-Q21 Drug & Alcohol Testing – Referring Driver to Substance Abuse Professional
How should the time spent when drivers volunteer as firefighters be logged on the record of duty status when the drivers return to work? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q27 Hours of Service Definitions
If a truck or truck tractor manufactured prior to July 25, 1980, and having 3 or more axles, has inoperable brakes on the front axle or some of the brake components are missing, would the vehicle be in violation of § 393.48? FMCSA-VEH-393.48-Q02 Is a pre-1980 CMV with inoperable front brakes in violation?
May a fifth wheel be considered as a coupling device when towing a semi-trailer in a driveaway-towaway operation? FMCSA-VEH-393.71-Q01 Use of fifth wheel when towing a trailer in driveaway-towaway operation
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?
Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports FMCSA-VM-396.11-Q002 Driver vehicle inspection reports
Does the sticker have to be located in a specific location on the vehicle? FMCSA-VM-396.17-Q04.cm Location of inspection sticker
May a large corporation which has many wholly owned subsidiaries have one policy for the parent corporation and maintain the policy and the Form MCS-90 at the corporate headquarters? FMCSA-INS-387.7-Q001 Need for large corporation with many subsidiaries to have more than one insurance policy
Are luxury limousines with a seating capacity of fewer than seven passengers and not operated on a regular route or between specified points exempted under §387.27(b)(2)? FMCSA-INS-387.27-Q003 Financial Responsibility Requirements for certain luxury limousine service