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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 is the difference between a full and limited query? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.701-FAQ003 Guidance on the difference between limited and full Clearinghouse queries
Can a driver correct information recorded about him or her in the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.171-FAQ001 Guidance on correcting information in the Clearinghouse
Do employers have access to violation information regarding current employees, including violations recorded by a different employer? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.703-FAQ004 Guidance on Employer Access to DAC Information
How do owner-operators meet their Clearinghouse obligations? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.705-FAQ010 Guidance on how owner-operators meet their Clearinghouse obligations
How is driver violation and return-to-duty (RTD) information recorded in the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.705-FAQ012 Guidance on Violation and RTD Reporting in the Clearinghouse
Can an employer or medical review officer (MRO) enter a drug and alcohol program violation in a CDL driver’s Clearinghouse record if the driver is not registered for the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.705-FAQ014 Guidance on reporting a violation for a driver who is not registered in the Clearinghouse
How will CDL drivers be notified when information about them is added to the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.707-FAQ001 Guidance on Driver Notification
Can Canadian and Mexican substance abuse professionals (SAPs) report the date of initial SAP assessment and date the driver is eligible for return-to-duty (RTD) testing? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-40.281-FAQ001 Guidance on Canadian and Mexican SAP Reporting to the Clearinghouse
Does the final rule change any of the existing drug and alcohol program requirements in Part 40? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ028 Guidance clarifying that there is no change to the existing Part 40 drug and alcohol program requirements
What actions can CDL drivers take in the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.709-FAQ002 Guidance on what actions CDL drivers can take in the Clearinghouse