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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
Medical Qualification FAQ – Controlled substances – MARIJUANA FAQ1 FMCSA-MED-DRV- Marijuana-FAQ001 Medical qualifications requirement for foreign-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
I don't have authority from the Mexican Government's Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) yet. Can I still make application for OP-1(MX) or OP-2 authority? FMCSA-BOR-REG-FAQ008 Registration requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
Which foreign country’s Commercial Licenses are reciprocally recognized for operating a CMV in the United States? FMCSA-BOR-CDL-383-FAQ001 Cross-border commercial and non-Commercial Driver License Requirements
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
Are Canadian Armed Forces exempt from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), including the ELD requirements, if they have proper documentation when operating in the United States? FMCSA-HOS-ELD-395-FAQ71 ELD requirements for foreign-domiciled motor carriers
How do I change the type of authority I have (for Mexico-domiciled carriers)? FMCSA-BOR-REG-FAQ006 Registration requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
I am a Mexican national and I have two companies, one domiciled in the U.S. and one domiciled in Mexico. Which applications do I need? FMCSA-BOR-REG-FAQ005 Registration requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
What forms should a Mexico-domiciled carrier complete to apply for a US DOT Number and operating authority registration so that they can operate within or long-haul beyond the U.S.-Mexico municipalities and commercial zones along the U.S-Mexico border? FMCSA-BOR-REG-FAQ002 Registration requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
I have a bus company in Mexico and I want to provide service to all areas in California and to Las Vegas, NV. Do I need Operating Authority, and how long will it take to get it? FMCSA-BOR-REG-FAQ007 Registration requirement for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers