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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
What are the repercussions if an employer does not meet the required timeframe for reporting a violation? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.705-FAQ004 Guidance on Repercussions of an Employer Not Meeting the Required Timeframe for Reporting a Violation to the Clearinghouse
How is driver data protected in the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ013 Guidance on Clearinghouse security
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
Can there be more than one Clearinghouse user per company? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ025 Guidance on Multiple 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 FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.701-FAQ001-RESCINDED Guidance on Clearinghouse Annual Query Date
What records should employers maintain in a driver qualification file to meet the requirements of section § 382.701(e)? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.701-FAQ004 Guidance on Maintaining Employer Records
How do I manage my company’s Clearinghouse user accounts? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ024 Guidance on managing user account
Once I have completed my Clearinghouse registration, how can I update the email address associated with my Clearinghouse account? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ014 Guidance on updating email address associated with Clearinghouse account
Hours of Service: Frequently Asked Questions- Non-Business Transportation of Personal Property –ELD, CDL FMCSA-HOS-ELDS-NONBUSINESS GUIDANCE-FAQ1 Hours of Service and CDL Guidance –Non-Business Purposes
Are motor carrier employers operating in Puerto Rico required to query/report to the Clearinghouse if they employ commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders who rely on the CDL to legally operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in Puerto Rico? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.103-FAQ005 Guidance on the applicability of the Clearinghouse requirements to CDL drivers who operate in Puerto Rico