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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
Part 390 § 390.23 Relief from regulations What regulations are included in 49 CFR Parts 390-399? FMCSA-RG-390.23-FAQ002 Emergency Declarations
Part 390 § 390.23 Relief from regulations FAQ001 How do State and Federal Declarations of Emergency affect motor carrier operations? FMCSA-RG-390.23-FAQ001 Emergency Declarations
What are the differences in the technical specifications in the 1988 automatic onboard recording device (AOBRD) Rule (49 CFR 395.15) and the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) rule? FMCSA-ELD-395-AOBRD-and-ELD-FAQ-RESCINDED ELD Guidance
Cross Border Transportation FAQs FMCSA-ELD-Cross-Border-Transportation-FAQs(2018-04-09)-CORR1-RESCINDED ELD Guidance
Is Your Device Compliant? FMCSA-HOS-ELD-TECH-395-FAQ98 ELD Guidance
What is the difference between provisional operating authority registration and standard operating authority registration granted to Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate beyond the U.S.-Mexico border commercial zones and municipalities? FMCSA-BOR-MX LONG-HAUL-FAQ004 Mexico-domiciled motor carrier long haul operations
Are there prohibitions, special terms and restrictions to “long haul” operating authority? FMCSA-BOR-MX LONG-HAUL-FAQ003 Mexico-domiciled motor carrier long haul operations
After the FMCSA receives my application, what will happen next? FMCSA-BOR-MX LONG-HAUL-FAQ005 Mexico-domiciled motor carrier long haul operations
After FMCSA completes a PASA and the applicant has passed the PASA, what will happen next? FMCSA-BOR-MX LONG-HAUL-FAQ006
My certificate of registration says I can carry exempt commodities. What are exempt commodities? FMCSA-BOR-MX-FAQ002 Registration requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers