{"data":{"id":"us/49-cfr-390.7","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"49 CFR 390.7","heading":"Rules of construction.","body":"(a) In part 325 of subchapter A and in this subchapter, unless the context requires otherwise:\n(1) Words imparting the singular include the plural;\n(2) Words imparting the plural include the singular;\n(3) Words imparting the present tense include the future tense.\n(b) In this subchapter the word—\n(1) Officer includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of the office;\n(2) Shall is used in an imperative sense;\n(3) Must is used in an imperative sense;\n(4) Should is used in a recommendatory sense;\n(5) May is used in a permissive sense; and\n(6) Includes is used as a word of inclusion, not limitation.","path":["Title 49—Transportation","Subtitle B—Other Regulations Relating to Transportation","CHAPTER III—FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION","SUBCHAPTER B—FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS","PART 390—FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS; GENERAL","Subpart A—General Applicability and Definitions"],"source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-08-25/title-49.xml","current_through":"2026-08-25","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T02:26:34Z","sha256":"08eefb65558052ff1749e3f2067ace6e7140c35ba358e370fb4c13ab2c5ae8c8","source_id":"us-cfr","stale":true,"prev":"us/49-cfr-390.6","next":"us/49-cfr-390.8"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}