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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
On May 9, 2011, FMCSA revised the definition of “tank vehicle.” Does the new definition cover the transportation of empty Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) or other tanks, or empty storage tanks? FMCSA-CDL-383.5-Q9 Commercial Driver License Standards; Tank Vehicle
Is a driver disqualified for driving a CMV while off-duty with a blood alcohol concentration over 0.04 percent? FMCSA-CDL-383.51-Alc-Q01 Commercial Driver License Standards; Alcohol-Related Disqualification
Is a person from Puerto Rico required to surrender his or her driver’s license in order to obtain a non-domiciled CDL? FMCSA-CDL-383.21-Q1 Commercial Driver License Standards; Puerto Rico CDL
Is a driver who has a CDL and has been convicted of a felony disqualified from operating a CMV under the FMCSRs? FMCSA-CDL-383.37-Q2 Commercial Driver License Standards; Felony Conviction
§380.603 – Applicability (ELDT) Guidance Q&A Question 1: Who is subject to entry-level driver training (ELDT) requirements? FMCSA-ELDT-380.603-Q001 Commercial Driver License; Entry level Driver Training
Does a receipt to drive issued pursuant to the administrative license revocation (ALR) procedure authorize the continued operation of a CMV when the license surrendered is a CDL? FMCSA-CDL-383.51-Alc-Q02 Commercial Driver License Standards; ALR Procedure
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
If a CDL holder was convicted of one “excessive speeding” (15 or more miles over the speed limit) violation in a CMV and the same violation in his/her personal vehicle, would the driver be disqualified? FMCSA-CDL-383.51-Gen-Q01 Commercial Driver License Standards; Driver Disqualification
May a truck tractor (as defined in 49 CFR 390.5) be driven on public roads by a driver with a Class B CDL? FMCSA-CDL-383.91-Q06 Commercial Driver License Standards; Class B Truck Tractor CDL Requirements
A driver operates a combination vehicle with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more. The tractor is towing a semitrailer and a full trailer, each with a GVWR of less than 10,000 pounds. Is this combination a Group A vehicle that requires a driver with a Class A FMCSA-CDL-383.5-Q7 Commercial Driver License Standards; Bladder Bags