USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

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
If a driver commits a felony while operating a CMV but not in the employ of a motor carrier, is the offense disqualifying? FMCSA-DQ-391.15-Q009 Driver disqualification
Does the definition of a ‘‘commercial motor vehicle’’ in § 390.5T of the FMCSRs include parking lot and/or street sweeping vehicles? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q015 Street-sweeping machines as CMVs
Does a medical certificate displaying a facsimile of a medical examiner’s signature meet the “signature of examining health care professional” requirement? FMCSA-MED-391.43-Q5 Signature on Medical Examiner’s Certificate
What is an owner-operator? FMCSA-D&A-382.107-Q01 Definition of owner-operator
Question 1: If a driver refuses to sign a statement certifying that he or she has received a copy of the educational materials required in §382.601 from their employer, will the employee be in violation of §382.601? May the driver’s supervisor sign the ce FMCSA-D&A-382.601-Q01 Drug & Alcohol Testing – Certificate of Receipt of Educational Materials from Employee
Must all trailers be equipped with overload protective devices? FMCSA-VEH-393.28-Q02 Overload protective devices for trailers
What work may the driver perform for an employer, if a driver violates the prohibitions in subpart B? FMCSA-D&A-382.413-Q01 Drug & Alcohol Testing – Removal from Safety Sensitive Functions
Must a driver engaged in union activities affecting the employing motor carrier record such time as on-duty (not driving) time? FMCSA-HOS-395.2-Q16 Hours of Service Definitions
If a crack extended into the thickness of the glass at such an angle FMCSA-VEH-393.60-Q03 Definition of ¼” windshield crack
May a rubber stamp signature be used on a driver’s record of duty status? FMCSA-HOS-395.8-Q02 Hours of Service Records of Duty Status