FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse

The Clearinghouse is a secure online database that gives employers real-time information about commercial driver's license (CDL) and commercial learner's permit (CLP) holders' drug and alcohol program violations. It contains records of violations, positive drug or alcohol test results, test refusals, and completion of the return-to-duty (RTD) process.

Employers must conduct:

• A pre-employment query before hiring any driver for a position requiring a CDL
• An annual query for all currently employed CDL drivers

Limited Query: Tells employers if any information exists in a driver's Clearinghouse record. Requires only a general driver consent, obtained outside the Clearinghouse.

Full Query: Provides detailed information about drug and alcohol program violations. Requires the driver's electronic consent within the Clearinghouse system.

Driver violation records remain available for five years from the date of the violation determination, or until the driver completes the return-to-duty process, whichever is later.

Employers must report:

• Alcohol confirmation test results with a concentration of 0.04 or higher
• Refusals to take required drug or alcohol tests
• Actual knowledge of drug or alcohol use
• Negative return-to-duty test results
• Completion of follow-up testing

While not required for most employers, a C/TPA can help manage your Clearinghouse obligations. Owner-operators (employers who employ themselves as CDL drivers) must designate a C/TPA to comply with the employer's Clearinghouse reporting requirements.