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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
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
How does the “8 days within a 30-day period” ELD Exemption apply to Canada/Mexico domiciled motor carrier’s drivers when they are operating in the United States? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ006 Cross Border Transportation ELDs
What transportation does “long-haul” operating authority permit a Mexico-domiciled motor carrier to perform? FMCSA-BOR-MX LONG-HAUL-FAQ002 Mexico-domiciled motor carrier long haul operations
How will the U.S. ELD rule apply to a Canada/Mexico domiciled company operating a commercial rental truck in the United States? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ005 Cross Border Transportation ELDs
What must a Canada/Mexico domiciled motor carrier’s driver do if an ELD malfunction prevents presenting HOS to a safety official at roadside by electronic data transfer, display screen or printout? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ004 Cross Border Transportation ELDs
Must a Canada or Mexico domiciled motor carrier use an ELD that (1) meets the U.S technical specifications and (2) is self-certified and registered with FMCSA to present hours of service when operating in the U.S.? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ003-RESCINDED Cross Border Transportation ELDs
Must a Canada/Mexico domiciled motor carrier’s driver using an ELD in the United States have a printer in the CMV? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ002 Cross Border Transportation ELDs
What happens if cellular network limitations prevent an ELD from transferring data during a U.S. roadside inspection for a Canada/Mexico domiciled motor carrier’s driver? FMCSA-BOR-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ001 Cross Border Transportation ELDs
What is the commercial zone? FMCSA-BOR-CZ-372-FAQ001 Commercial zone operations
A driver with residence in Mexico drives for a U.S. company. Does that driver need a state-issued commercial driver’s license? FMCSA-BOR-CDL-383-FAQ002 Cross-border commercial and non-Commercial Driver License Requirements