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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
Is the operation of fire trucks and rescue vehicles in interstate commerce by a private firefighting company subject to the FMCSRs when the company provides its services under contract to Federal or State agencies? FMCSA-RG-390.3T-FAQ026 Applicability of FMCSRs to private firefighting companies
A driver of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is changing lanes. A passenger car driver near the CMV loses control, leaves the roadway, and is involved in an accident. The passenger car must be towed. Is the CMV considered to be “involved” under the defini FMCSA-RG-390.5T-FAQ028 Whether a CMV is “involved” if it causes other vehicle to crash
Section 390.3T(f)(5) provides an exemption from the FMCSRs for the operation of fire trucks and rescue vehicles while such vehicles are being used in emergency and related operations. What is meant by the phrase “fire trucks and rescue vehicles? FMCSA-RG-390.3T-FAQ031
Do the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations apply to transportation performed by the federal government of a foreign country, or by a state, provincial, or territorial government of a foreign country? FMCSA-RG-390.3T-FAQ025 Applicability of FMCSRs to transportation in U.S. by foreign governments
Section 390.3T(f)(5) provides an exemption from the FMCSRs for the operation of fire trucks and rescue vehicles while such vehicles are being used in emergency and related operations. Section 390.23 provides an exception to most of the FMCSRs FMCSA-RG-390.3T-FAQ029 Differences between § 390.3T(f)(5) and § 390.23 when applied to contract wildfire suppression services
Does an explosion or fire in a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) that has not collided with other vehic FMCSA-RG-390.5T-FAQ030 Non-collision CMV fires as accidents
Guidance for the Use of Binding Arbitration Under the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1996, 69 Fed. Reg. 10288 FMCSA-FR-69FR10288.2004.03.04 Civil Penalties
Guidance for the Use of Binding Arbitration Under the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1996, 69 Fed. Reg. 10288 FMCSA-FR-69FR10288.2004.03.04 Civil Penalties
49 CFR § 390.3T General Applicability Question 24 FMCSA-RG-390.3T-Q024 FMCSA jurisdiction over drivers operating only occasionally in interstate commerce
Is a driver who possesses a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) issued by their State of residence, but who is suspended by another State for reasons unrelated to the violation of a motor vehicle traffic control law, disqualified from operating a comm FMCSA-DQ-391.15-Q010 Driver disqualification