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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
When a motor carrier purchases another motor carrier, must the drivers of the acquired motor carrier be requalified by the purchasing motor carrier? FMCSA-DQ-391.51-Q001 Driver qualification files
Question 1: Does §392.60 require a driver to carry a copy of the written authorization (required to transport passengers) on board a CMV? FMCSA-DRV-392.60-Q001 Transportation of unauthorized persons
Is a driver training school required to keep a driver qualification file on each student? FMCSA-DQ-391.51-Q002 Driver qualification files
Question 1: Must a driver prepare a written report of a pre-trip inspection performed under §392.7? FMCSA-DRV-392.7-Q001 Driver pre-trip inspection
Question 2: Must both drivers of a team operation comply with the provisions of §392.7 before driving? FMCSA-DRV-392.7-Q002 Driver pre-trip inspection
Question 1: Is a vehicle’s cargo compartment considered sealed according to the terms of §392.9(b)(4) when it is secured with a padlock, to which the driver holds a key? FMCSA-DRV-392.9-Q001 Inspection of cargo and cargo securement
What does “servicing” of the field operations of the natural gas and oil industry cover? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-Q06 Hours of Service
Question 3: How may the motor carrier determine safe loading when a shipper has loaded and sealed the trailer? FMCSA-DRV-392.9-Q003 Inspection of cargo and cargo securement
Question 4: Is there a requirement that a driver must personally load, block, brace, and tie down the cargo on the property carrying CMV he/she drives? FMCSA-DRV-392.9-Q004 inspection, cargo, securement
If a motor carrier maintains complete driver qualification files but cannot produce them at the time of the review or within two business days, is it in violation of §391.51? FMCSA-DQ-391.51-Q004 Driver qualification files