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.

Portions of the Department of Transportation are currently in shutdown/furlough status due to a lapse in appropriations. Please continue to monitor this page for updates on DOT’s operating status.
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
Must a motor carrier that uses a 100-air-mile radius driver write zero (0) hours on the time record for each day the driver is off duty (not working for the motor carrier)? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-FAQ29 Hours of Service
Section § 382.103: Applicability FMCSA-D&A-382.103-Q002 Applicability of part 382 to driver training schools and student drivers
Do the FMCSRs apply to Indian Tribal Governments? FMCSA-RG-390.3T-Q020 Applicability of FMCSRs to Indian Tribal Governments
What are the physical qualification requirements for operating a CMV in interstate commerce? FMCSA-MED-391.41-Q3-RESCINDED Driver Physical Qualification Standards
Part 387 Section § 387.39: Forms. FMCSA-INS-387.39-Q001 Aggregation of insurance to meet financial responsibility requirements
If a motor carriers sends a potential interstate driver to a medical examiner to have both a pre-employment medical examination and a pre-employment controlled substances test performed, how must the medical examiner conduct the medical examination ... FMCSA-MED-391.43-Q7 Drug Testing and Driver Physical Qualification Examination
If an employer is subject to random testing for only a partial calendar year, how should the employer determine the number of random tests required during the year to achieve the appropriate testing rate? (Examples: new employers that begin operating midw FMCSA-D&A-382.305-FAQ014 Guidance on how to determine the number of random tests required during the year to achieve the appropriate testing rate for employers who are subject to random testing for only a partial calendar year
Are motor vehicles being transported considered to be HM for purposes of the financial responsibility requirements, thus requiring the higher limits set forth in the regulations? FMCSA-INS-387.3-Q008 Whether motor vehicles being transported are considered hazardous materials for purposes of the financial responsibility requirements
§385.1 Who must hold a safety permit. FMCSA-HMSP-385.403-Q001 Hazardous Materials Safety Permits
Section § 385.415: What operational requirements apply to the transportation of a hazardous material for which a permit is required? FMCSA-HMSP-385.415-Q001 Hazardous Materials Safety Permits