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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
May HMSP carriers request a review of their crash data? FMCSA-HM-385-FAQ026 Hazardous Materials Safety Permits
How does the HMSP Program Improvement policy affect current HMSP holders who are submitting renewal applications? FMCSA-HM-HMSP-385-FAQ027 Hazardous Materials Safety Permits
How will FMCSA use SMS data as part of the HMSP review process? FMCSA-HM-HMSP-385-FAQ017 Hazardous Materials Safety Permits
Hazardous Materials Safety Permit (HMSP) Program: Amendment to Enforcement Policy, 80 Fed. Reg. 35253 FMCSA-FR-80FR35253.2015.06.19 Hazardous Materials Safety Permits
Commercial Driver’s License Standards; Regulatory Guidance Concerning the Passenger Endorsement Standards, 80 Fed. Reg. 30163 (May 27, 2015) FMCSA-FR-80FR30163-2015.05.27 Regulatory Guidance
Are crashes involving motorists striking attenuator trucks while the impact attenuators or crash cushions are deployed included within the definition of ‘‘accident’’ with regard to the motor carrier responsible for the operation of the attenuator truck? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-FAQ033 Accidents involving attenuator trucks
Are crashes involving motorists striking attenuator trucks while the impact attenuators or crash cushions are deployed included within the definition of ‘‘accident’’ with regard to the motor carrier responsible for the operation of the attenuator truck? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-FAQ033 Accidents involving attenuator trucks
Occasional Drivers: My company purchased a large truck that is over 26,001 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). We do not currently employ any commercial driver’s license (CDL) drivers. The vehicle has only been driven a few times by a family friend, FMCSA-D&A-382.103-FAQ005 Guidance on whether drivers who receive no compensation must be in a DOT drug and alcohol program.
My company received a communication entitled, “Urgent Compliance Notice” which states that our company is not in compliance with DOT Drug and Alcohol training requirements and will be subject to civil penalties up to $10,000, if our supervisors do not ... FMCSA-D&A-382.103-FAQ006 Guidance to companies receiving solicitations from companies providing DOT drug and alcohol testing services.
Self-Admission: A driver admits to a company official that they have used a controlled substance, as defined in the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA-5) for a 5 panel DOT drug test; however, the self-admission either does not meet the criteria under FMCSA-D&A-382.121-FAQ001 Guidance on employee admissions