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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
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
When must a contract school bus operator comply with part 387? FMCSA-INS-387.27-Q004 Contract school bus operator compliance with Part 387 Subpart B
Question 4: Would a mechanic who is employed by a leasing company and only works on CMVs that the leasing company leases to other motor carriers be required to meet the brake inspector certification requirements? FMCSA-VM-396.25-Q04.cm Must a leasing company mechanic meet the brake inspector requirements?
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
What is the carrier’s liability when its drivers falsify records of duty status? FMCSA-HOS-395.8-Q21 liability for false records
Question 1: What is meant by ‘‘systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance?” FMCSA-VM-396.3-Q001 Vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance
May the Form MCS-90B required by part 387 for proof of minimum financial responsibility be modified? FMCSA-INS-387.39-Q002 Modification of Form MCS-90B
Is the use of a facsimile signature (e.g., printed, stamped, autopenned, etc.) on the Form MCS-90B endorsement acceptable? FMCSA-INS-387.39-Q003 Describe Contents of Document
Question 3: Who has the responsibility of inspecting and maintaining leased vehicles and their maintenance records? FMCSA-VM-396.3-Q003 Vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance
When the driver’s duty status changes, do §§395.8(c) or 395.8(h)(5) require a description of on-duty not driving activities in the remarks section in addition to the name of the nearest city, town or village followed by the State abbreviation? FMCSA-HOS-395.8-Q23 Requirements for on-duty not driving descriptions