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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
Do retractable or lift axles have to be equipped with brakes? FMCSA-VEH-393.42-Q01 Must lift axles have brakes?
May a triangular-shaped flag or device be used by itself to mark an oversized load? FMCSA-VEH-393.87-Q01 Triangular flag to mark oversized load
Driver vehicle inspection reports FMCSA-VM-396.11-Q012 Driver vehicle inspection reports
How should a change of duty status for a short period of time be shown on the driver’s record of duty status? FMCSA-HOS-395.8-Q01 Hours of Service Records of Duty Status
Are drivers required to include their total on-duty time for the previous 7 to 8 days (as applicable) on the driver’s record of duty status? FMCSA-HOS-395.8-Q16 Hours of Service Records of Duty Status
When must a driver complete the signature/certification of the driver’s record of duty status? FMCSA-HOS-395.8-Q24 certification of RODS
What noise emission requirements are applicable to auxiliary generators? FMCSA-NOISE--325.1-Q001 Motor Carrier Noise Emission Standards
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?
Question 1: May a nonmotor carrier which owns a CMV prepare the qualification certificate provided for in §391.65? FMCSA-DQ-391.65-Q001 Drivers furnished by other motor carriers
Question 1: Do possession and use of alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of a motorcoach constitute ‘‘possession’’ of such beverages under §392.5(a)(3)? FMCSA-DRV-392.5-Q001 Alcohol prohibition