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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
If, after December 18, 1995, a Mexico-based driver is found operating beyond the boundaries of the four border States allowed by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), is that driver in violation of the FMCSRs? If so, which one? FMCSA-RG-390.3T-Q022 Mexico-NAFTA
What is the applicability of the FMCSRs to motor carriers owning and operating school buses that contract with a municipality to provide pupil transportation services? FMCSA-RG-390.3T-Q014 Applicability of FMCSRs to school bus contractors
Do the definitions of "farm", "farmer" and "agricultural crops" apply to greenhouse operations? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q001 Applicability of farm-related definitions to greenhouse operations
Is a vehicle used to transport or tow an anhydrous ammonia nurse tank considered a CMV and subject to FMCSRs? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q002 Applicability of FMCSRs to vehicles towing nurse tanks
If a vehicle’s GVWR plate and/or VIN number are missing but its actual gross weight is 10,001 pounds or more, may an enforcement officer use the latter instead of GVWR to determine the applicability of the FMCSRs? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q003 Use of actual GVW when GVWR and/or VIN plate missing
If a vehicle with a manufacturer’s GVWR of less than 10,001 pounds has been structurally modified to carry a heavier load, may an enforcement officer use the higher actual gross weight of the vehicle, instead of the GVWR, to determine the applicability of FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q004 Applicability of FMCSRs to vehicle modified to carry heavier loads
A driver used by a motor carrier operates a CMV to and from his/her residence out of State. Is this considered interstate commerce? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q005 Extent of “interstate commerce” when applied to personal conveyance
Is transporting an empty CMV across State lines for purposes of repair and maintenance considered interstate commerce? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q006
Does off-road motorized construction equipment meet the definitions of "motor vehicle" and "commercial motor vehicle" as used in §§ 383.5 and 390.5T? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q007 Applicability of FMCSRs to off-road motorized construction equipment
What types of equipment are included in the category of off-road motorized construction equipment? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q008 Meaning of “off-road motorized construction equipment”