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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 violation and return-to-duty (RTD) information must employers report to the Clearinghouse? FMCSA-D&A-CLEAR-382-FAQ016 Guidance on Employer Violation and RTD Reporting
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 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 FMCSA-CDL-383.75-Q01-RESCINDED Commercial Driver License Standards; Third Party Testing
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
One definition of CMV is a vehicle “designed to transport” 16 or more passengers, including the driver. Does that include standing passengers if the vehicle was specifically designed to accommodate standees? FMCSA-CDL-383.5-Q4 Commercial Driver License Standards; Designed to Transport
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 Commercial Driver License Standards; Foreign Driver Employment
Section 383.51 of the FMCSRs disqualifies a driver if certain offenses were committed while operating a CMV. Will the States be required to identify on the motor vehicle driver’s record the class of vehicle being operated when a violation occurs? FMCSA-CDL-383.51-Gen-Q03 Commercial Driver License Standards; Driver Disqualifications