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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
Part 390 § 390.23 Relief from regulations What does a driver need to do when returning to normal operations after operating under an emergency declaration? FMCSA-RG-390.23-FAQ021 Emergency Declarations
Part 390 § 390.23 Relief from regulations Is the time spent driving to pick up a truck regulated as on duty time? FMCSA-RG-390.23-FAQ024 Emergency Declarations
§380.600 – Compliance date for training requirements for entry-level drivers FMCSA-ELDT-380.600-Q007 Commercial Driver License; Entry level Driver Training
What level of insurance is required for a carrier operating a multi-compartment cargo tank that is transporting a hazardous substance, where each compartment is less than 3,500 water gallon capacity, and the total capacity is greater than 3,500 water gall FMCSA-INS-387.9-Q004 Insurance requirements for multi-compartment cargo tanks
A corporation (the parent corporation) owns subsidiary corporations that are for-hire motor carriers, each having their own separate operating authorities. The parent corporation does not operate commercial motor vehicles. However, the parent corporation FMCSA-RG-390.5T-FAQ029 Whether a parent with subsidiary “motor carriers” is a “motor carrier”
§385.1 Who must hold a safety permit. FMCSA-HMSP-385.403-Q001 Hazardous Materials Safety Permits
May a motor carrier create an accident register of its own, or is there a specified form that must be used? FMCSA-RG-390.15-Q001 Format of accident register
Upon termination of direct assistance to a regional or local emergency relief effort, as specified in § 390.23(a), may utility company line crews return directly to the motor carrier’s terminal or the driver’s normal work reporting location without comply FMCSA-RG-390.23-FAQ004 Are utility service vehicles exempt while returning after emergency relief?
Does § 390.23 create an exemption from the FMCSRs each and every time the delivery of electricity is interrupted, no matter how isolated or minor the occurrence? FMCSA-RG.390.23-Q001 Applicability of emergency exception to electrical outages
Hours of Service Exceptions FMCSA-HOS-395.1-FAQ33 Hours of Service Exceptions