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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
How long will CDL driver violation records be available for release to employers from the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.719-FAQ001 Guidance on how long CDL driver violation records will be available for release to employers from 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
What information is an employer required to report to the Clearinghouse when reporting actual knowledge that a CDL driver used alcohol or controlled substance, as defined in § 382.107? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.705-FAQ001 Guidance on reporting actual knowledge violations to the Clearinghouse
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
Is a social security number (SSN) or employee identification number (EIN) required to enter a driver’s violation in the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.705-FAQ003 Clearinghouse FAQ
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
What identifying number should be documented for drivers in the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.705-FAQ005 Guidance for using a driver’s CDL number and state of issuance 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
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
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