FMCSA Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
The mission of the US Department of Transportation is to ensure the nation has the safest, most efficient and modern transportation system in the world.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The result is what's now known as the CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, is the largest of all of the Department of Transportation modes with approximately 8.7 million active Commercial Drivers License holders in the United States. Originally a part of the Federal Highway Administration, the FMCSA was established as a separate department in January 2000 to help reduce commercial motor vehicle related injuries and fatalities.
While the FMCSA develops and enforces standards and best practices for Commercial Drivers License holders, this doesn’t mean all active CDL holders drive trucks. For example The American Trucking Association estimates only about 3.5 million of the country's 8.7 million license holders are professional truck drivers. That is a lot of trucks hauling goods and people on our public roads.
The Ruling
The final ruling to establish requirements for the Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse was passed on December 5, 2016.
The database that is specifically under the FMCSA Agency’s administration contains information about violations of FMCSA’s drug and alcohol testing program for the holders of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). The ruling was added to 49 CFR Part 382 as Subpart G (Sections 382.701 through 382.727), and includes certain areas of Parts 383, 384, and 391.
The Clearinghouse database is designed to be a central repository for drug and alcohol testing program violations by CDL holders. It enhances transportation and public safety by identifying drivers who violate federal drug and alcohol testing regulations and making them ineligible to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) until they meet return-to-duty requirements.
What Is the FMCSA Clearinghouse?
The FMCSA Clearinghouse is a secure online database providing employers, State Driver Licensing Agencies, state law enforcement personnel, and the FMCSA with real-time information about CDL driver drug and alcohol program violations.
The Clearinghouse helps resolve a longstanding issue—drivers concealing their drug and alcohol violations by changing employers or jurisdictions. Now, a driver’s record “follows” them based on their CDL number, allowing employers and agencies to maintain visibility no matter where or how often a driver moves. This remains in effect until the driver completes the required evaluation, treatment, and return-to-duty process outlined in 49 CFR Part 40 Subpart O.
CDL Status Downgrades
When a CDL drug or alcohol program violation is entered into the Clearinghouse, that information is also reported to State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs). Upon notification, the SDLA is required to immediately downgrade the driver’s commercial license status. In other words, the driver loses their CDL privileges and is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
To regain CDL status, drivers must successfully complete the federally mandated return-to-duty process with a qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). Only after this process is verified and a negative return-to-duty test is recorded can the SDLA reinstate the license. Fees and administrative steps to restore CDL status vary by state, and delays or incomplete documentation can significantly extend the reinstatement period.
According to the FMCSA, the Clearinghouse database improves highway safety in several key areas:
Easier for employers to meet pre-employment investigation and reporting obligations
More difficult for drivers to conceal drug and alcohol violations from current and prospective employers
Provides law enforcement and roadside inspectors the means to ensure drivers receive required evaluation and treatment before performing safety-sensitive functions
Allows FMCSA visibility into employer compliance with testing, investigation, and reporting requirements
The Clearinghouse rule was finalized in December 2016. Database registration began in November 2019, and full enforcement has been in effect since January 6, 2020—more than five years ago.
Registration Details For The FMCSA Clearinghouse Database
Since January 6, 2020, all CDL drivers, motor carrier employers, Medical Review Officers, Substance Abuse Professionals, HHS laboratories, and Third-Party Administrators have been required to register.
Employers must run a full query on drivers offered a commercial driving position as part of the pre-employment screening process. They are also required to conduct limited queries annually on currently employed CDL drivers.
In addition to conducting queries, employers are obligated to report any discovered drug and alcohol program violations to the FMCSA Clearinghouse. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to $5,833 per violation—for drivers, employers, and MROs alike.
This process adds time, risk exposure, increased audits, and financial penalties to an already rigorous compliance environment.
Talk To Our Clearinghouse Expert Advisors & Consultants
Our consultants are ahead of the curve. We educate, guide, and manage these additional screening requirements for you—removing the administrative burden so you can stay focused on what matters: your business.
The data housed in the DOT Clearinghouse database is protected by both the Privacy Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). That means only those with complete knowledge of federal data protections should be entrusted with it. As a regulated Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA), we already operate under these compliance standards—setting us apart from many competitors.
Your compliance is our priority. This is a key differentiator in partnering with us—one that keeps your business interests protected.
We share your values for workplace and community safety. Let us handle the additional requirements, integrated seamlessly into your pre-employment and ongoing screening programs.
Explore our FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Program and FMCSA Compliance and Training memberships. We are your one-stop compliance partner.