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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
Does a copy of the front page of the MX Certificate of Registration satisfy the regulation 387.303(b)(4) or must a carrier have all of the pages of the Certificate on board the vehicle? FMCSA-BOR-MX-FAQ001 Registration requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
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
Are U.S. commercial drivers required to possess a Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) training certificate when transporting hazardous materials (HM) in Canada? FMCSA-BOR-CDL-383-FAQ005 Cross-border commercial and non-Commercial Driver License Requirements
My trucks have both Mexico and U.S. license plates. Can I put my MX Number and my MC Number on the same truck? FMCSA-BOR-MX-FAQ005 Vehicle marking requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
How long does it take to get an MX number, Certificate of Registration and USDOT Number? FMCSA-BOR-REG-FAQ003 Registration requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
Medical Qualification FAQ – Controlled substances – MARIJUANA FAQ1 FMCSA-MED-DRV- Marijuana-FAQ001 Medical qualifications requirement for foreign-domiciled motor carriers.
What insurance and proof of financial responsibility do I need to operate in the U.S.? FMCSA-BOR-MX-FAQ003 Insurance requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
Must the files that I maintain in order to comply with the FMCSRs be in English? FMCSA-BOR-MX-FAQ004 Recordkeeping requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
Does a Mexico-domiciled motor carrier need a US DOT number and/or operating authority if they are crossing the U.S. border in a pick-up truck (small van, car or tow truck etc.) for an occasional trip to deliver goods and only traveling one or two miles FMCSA-BOR-REG-FAQ001 Registration requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
Medical Qualification FAQ – CANADIAN Medical Certificates - FAQ1 FMCSA-BOR-MED-MedicalCertficate-FAQ001 Medical qualifications requirement for foreign-domiciled motor carriers