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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
Is the Clearinghouse subject to the Privacy Act requirements? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ029 Guidance on of Privacy Act applicability to the Clearinghouse
How do owner-operators meet their Clearinghouse obligations? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382.705-FAQ010 Guidance on how owner-operators meet their Clearinghouse obligations
When are drivers subject to the DOT Drug and Alcohol testing requirements? FMCSA-D&A-382.103-FAQ003 Guidance on when a driver is subject to the FMCSA drug and alcohol testing requirements.
ELD Training Checklist for Motor Carriers: Understanding Your Device FMCSA-HOS-ELD-TRAINING-395-FAQ1 ELD Guidance
Brochure provides overview of the hours-of-service rules for drivers of passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles. FMCSA-HOS-PASS-395-PASSENGER CARRIER HOURS OF SERVICE BROCHURE Passenger Carrier Hours of Service
May the CDL knowledge test be administered by a third party? FMCSA-CDL-383.75-Q01-RESCINDED Commercial Driver License Standards; Third Party Testing
May a foreign driver with an employment authorization document obtain a CDL to operate a CMV in the United States? FMCSA-CDL-383.23-Q1-RESCINDED Commercial Driver License Standards; Foreign Driver Employment
Commercial Driver's License Standards, Requirements and Penalties; Notification of Updated Regulatory Guidance; Request for Comments, 84 Fed. Reg. 8464 FMCSA-FR-84FR8464-2019-03-08 Guidance for Commercial Drivers Licenses
§380.605 – Definitions Guidance Q&A Question 18: Must training providers be accredited in order to get listed on the Training Provider Registry? FMCSA-ELDT-380.605-Q018 Commercial Driver License; Entry level Driver Training
§380.605 – Definitions Guidance Q&A Question 23: Can driving simulators be used as a substitute for mandatory behind-the-wheel (BTW) training? FMCSA-ELDT-380.605-Q023 Commercial Driver License; Entry level Driver Training