USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Portions of the Department of Transportation are currently in shutdown/furlough status due to a lapse in appropriations. Please continue to monitor this page for updates on DOT’s operating status.
U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

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
Are mobile cranes operating in interstate commerce considered CMVs, and are they subject to the FMCSRs? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q009 Are mobile cranes CMVs subject to the FMCSRs?
Does the FMCSA define for-hire transportation of passengers the same as the former ICC did? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q010 For-hire transportation of passengers
A company has a truck with a GVWR under 10,001 pounds towing a trailer with a GVWR under 10,001 pounds. However, the GVWR of the truck added to the GVWR of the trailer is greater than 10,001 pounds. Would the company operating this vehicle in interstate c FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q011 Applicability of FMCSRs to combination vehicles with individual GVWs under 10,001 pounds, but GCWRs above 10,001 pounds
A CMV becomes stuck in a median or on a shoulder, and has had no contact with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a fixed object prior to becoming stuck. If a tow truck is used to pull the CMV back onto the traveled portion of the road, would this be consid FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q012 Applicability of “accident” definition to stuck CMV
To what extent would the windshield and/or mirrors of a vehicle have to be damaged in order for it to be considered ‘‘disabling damage’’ as used in the definition of an accident in § 390.5T? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q013 Extent of definition of “disabling damage”
Does the definition of a ‘‘commercial motor vehicle’’ in § 390.5T of the FMCSRs include parking lot and/or street sweeping vehicles? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q015 Street-sweeping machines as CMVs
May a motor carrier that employs owner-operators who have their own operating authority issued by the ICC or the Surface Transportation Board transfer the responsibility for compliance with the FMCSRs to the owner-operators? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q017 Carrier responsibility for owner-operator compliance with FMCSRs
Must a person who is injured in an accident and immediately receives treatment away from the scene of the accident be transported in an ambulance? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q018 Mode of transportation of persons injured in CMV accident
What is the meaning of ‘‘immediate’’ as used in the definition of ‘‘accident?’’ FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q019 Meaning of “immediate” medical treatment after “accident”
A person involved in an incident discovers that he or she is injured after leaving the scene of the incident and receives medical attention at that time. Does the incident meet the definition of accident in 49 CFR 390.5T? FMCSA-RG-390.5T-Q020 Injury discovered after leaving scene of accident