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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
Must a physician specifically advise that substances in a prescription will not adversely affect the driver’s ability to safely operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) or may a pharmacist’s advice or precautions printed on a container suffice for the adv FMCSA-D&A-382.213-Q01 Guidance regarding a physician’s advice that the substances in a prescription will not adversely affect the driver’s ability to safely operate a CMV
Do electronic devices which are advertised as radar jammers meet the definition of a radar detector in 49 CFR 390.5T? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q021 Radar jammers as radar detectors
Question 18: In rare circumstances, it is necessary to refer an individual immediately for inpatient substance abuse services. May the SAP provide direct treatment services or refer the individual to services provided by a treatment facility with which he FMCSA-D&A-382.605-Q18 Drug & Alcohol Testing – Conflict of Interest in SAP Referrals
If a driver is transported by automobile from the point of a breakdown to a terminal, and then dispatched on another run, how is the time spent in the automobile entered on the record of duty status? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q24 Hours of Service Definitions
Is there a minimum number of fasteners required to fasten the upper fifth wheel plate to the frame of a trailer? FMCSA-VEH-393.70-Q01 Securing upper fifth wheel plate to trailer frame
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?
Are employers required to provide intervention and treatment for drivers who have a substance abuse problem or only refer drivers to be evaluated by an SAP? FMCSA-D&A-382.605-Q2 Guidance on Providing Treatment for Substance Abuse
Question 19: Who is responsible for retaining DVIRs for leased vehicles including those of owner-operators? FMCSA-VM-396.11-Q019 Driver vehicle inspection reports
Is a motor carrier transporting mail under contract for the U.S. Postal Service wholly within the boundaries of a single State subject to the minimum levels of financial responsibility requirements of part 387? FMCSA-INS-387.3-Q006 Applicability of Financial Responsibility Regulations to Single State Mail transport
Must a motor carrier obtain a new Form MCS-90 each year if it retains the same insurance company? FMCSA-INS-387.15-Q004 Need for new MCS-90 if carrier retains insurance company