Clearinghouse Services

  • The FMCSA manages the DOT Clearinghouse, which is a centralized online database for Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders that tracks drug and alcohol program violations and return-to-duty (RTD) status. It assists employers and authorities in identifying prohibited drivers, ensuring that they complete mandatory evaluations and treatment prior to running Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs), and may result in CDL downgrades for noncompliance.

    • Mandatory Requirement: 

    Employers must conduct annual limited queries for their CDL drivers to comply with FMCSA regulations. 

    • Exclusive Source: 

    The Clearinghouse is the sole platform for employers to find information on driver drug and alcohol violations for prospective drivers. 

    • Annual Queries: 

    You must run a query for each employee at least once within a rolling 12-month period. 

    • Driver Consent: 

    Drivers must provide consent before a limited query (general) and a separate consent for a full query (detailed information).

  • Guidance: 

    Section 382.703(a) states “No employer may query the Clearinghouse to determine whether a record exists for any particular driver without first obtaining that driver’s written or electronic consent.” The type of consent required depends on the type of query.

    For a limited query, a general consent is required. This is obtained outside the Clearinghouse. Employers may obtain a multi-year general consent from the driver for limited queries. A sample limited consent form from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is available.

    For a full query, the driver must provide specific consent to the employer prior to each full query. This consent must be provided electronically within the Clearinghouse.

  • The Clearinghouse final rule requires that employers conduct queries:

    • As part of any pre-employment driver investigation.

    • At least annually for every CDL driver currently employed.

    Failure to conduct required queries can result in fines of up to $2,500 per violation. 

    How to Conduct a Query: 

    Log in to your FMCSA Clearinghouse account, access your dashboard, and go to the Queries section to conduct a query. 

  • This will be the one less thing you have to worry about while you're preoccupied with everything else related to your business.

    You also reduce the stress of having to pay any hefty fines if you don’t comply.

    Why Employers Use C/TPAs:

    We will be handling the following

    • Running Queries: Conducting background checks on prospective and current CDL drivers for pre-employment and annually to ensure they aren't prohibited from safety-sensitive functions.

    • Reporting Violations: Reporting positive drug/alcohol tests, refusals to test, and instances of "actual knowledge" of a violation to the Clearinghouse.

    • Managing Return-to-Duty (RTD) Process: Reporting negative RTD test results, which allows a driver to return to performing safety-sensitive functions.

    • Recordkeeping: Maintaining detailed records of the drug and alcohol testing program.

    • Program Management: Overseeing the employer's entire DOT drug and alcohol testing program, including random testing and policy education. 

Clearinghouse Management

$35

/Yr

Enroll Today!