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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| How can I track the progress of my bulk queries? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ007 | Guidance on Bulk Query Tracking | |
| How does an employer or consortium/third-party administrator (C/TPA) submit a bulk query? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ022 | Guidance on How to submit bulk query | |
| What actions should an employer take if unable to conduct required pre-employment queries? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.701-FAQ007 | Guidance for employers unable to perform a preemployment query due to intermittent Clearinghouse outages on January 6, 2020. | |
| How will State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) use the Clearinghouse? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.725-FAQ001-RESCINDED | Guidance on SDLA Use of the Clearinghouse | |
| Can I initiate queries for a large number of drivers without having to enter them into the system one at a time? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ005 | Guidance on how to enter a bulk query in the Clearinghouse | |
| What is considered actual knowledge of a violation? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.705-FAQ002 | Guidance on employer and C/TPA responsibility for reporting actual knowledge violations to the Clearinghouse | |
| What is the timeframe in which an employer must submit a report of an employee’s drug and alcohol program violation to the Clearinghouse? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ017 | Guidance on Employer Violation Reporting Timeframe | |
| How are substance abuse professionals (SAPs) required to use the Clearinghouse? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.705-FAQ011 | Guidance on SAP Use of the Clearinghouse | |
| How do I manage my company’s Clearinghouse user accounts? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ024 | Guidance on managing user account | |
| Is the annual requirement for employee queries based upon the calendar year or by hire date? | FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.701-FAQ001-RESCINDED | Guidance on Clearinghouse Annual Query Date |