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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 the FMCSRs require applicants, possessing a current medical certificate, to undergo a new physical examination as a condition of employment? FMCSA-MED-391.45-Q2 Pre-employment Driver Physical Qualification Examination
If a high-profile COE truck or truck-tractor is equipped with a seat on the passenger’s side, must steps and handholds be provided for any person entering or exiting on that side of the vehicle? FMCSA-RG-399.207-FAQ01 Access requirements for truck and truck-tractor cabs
What does the foot accommodation rule mean when it states: "The step need not retain the disc at rest"? FMCSA-RG-399.207-FAQ02 Access requirements for truck and truck-tractor cabs
In § 399.207(b)(4), Illustration III, what does the unshaded area within the disc suggest? FMCSA-RG-399.207-FAQ03 Access requirements for truck and truck-tractor cabs
May the step be a rung? If so, what minimum diameter must the rung be? FMCSA-RG-399.207-FAQ04 Access requirements for truck and truck-tractor cabs
Recordkeeping requirements for electronic HOS files FMCSA-ELD-HOS-395.15-Q01 Recordkeeping requirements for electronic HOS files
May an automatic on-board recording device use an algorithm to identify the location of each change in duty status relative to the nearest city, town, or village? FMCSA-ELD-HOS-395.15-Q03 AOBRD use of algorithm
Are automatic on-board recorders (AOBRDs) required to be designed and maintained to prevent team drivers in a non-driving duty status from making updates to their electronic record of duty status while the vehicle is in motion? FMCSA-ELD-HOS-395.15-Q04 When a non-driver may update their eROD
What hours-of-service regulations apply to drivers operating between the United States and Mexico or between the United States and Canada? FMCSA-HOS-395.1-Q01 Hours of Service
If a driver invokes the exception for adverse driving conditions, does a supervisor need to sign the driver’s record of duty status when he/she arrives at the destination? FMCSA-HOS-395-Q02 Hours of Service Exception