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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 Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) and what information does it contain? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ008 Guidance on what is the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
When must current and prospective employers conduct a query of a CDL driver’s information in the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.701-FAQ008 Guidance on When to Conduct Clearinghouse Queries
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
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
When will an employer be notified of changes to a driver’s Clearinghouse record? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.701-FAQ002-RESCINDED Guidance on when an employer will be notified of changes to a driver’s Clearinghouse record
What must employers do when an authorized service agent is no longer conducting business for the employer’s company? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.711-FAQ002 Guidance on requirement the employer update Clearinghouse registration to reflect service agent changes
Are Canadian and Mexican employers required to report drug and alcohol program violations to the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.103-FAQ002 Guidance on Canadian and Mexican Employer Reporting Clearinghouse Requirements
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 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 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provide a sample of a limited consent request? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.703-FAQ005 Guidance on using Sample General Consent Form Provided by FMCSA