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FMCSA DOT CLEARINGHOUSE

FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse was created by an act of Congress and went into effect on January 6. 2020 to give employers real-time access to information about commercial driver drug and alcohol program violations. This new online database directly impacts how organizations hire commercial drivers and is required for any company and driver who operates within the FMCSA regulations.

The Clearinghouse will improve safety on our roadways and gives employers additional peace of mind and protection when hiring new drivers.

Semi truck driving through the desert in Arizona with red rocks in the background

The FMCSA Clearinghouse EMPLOYER requirements:

  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    Registration – FMCSA regulated employers must register their company with the Clearinghouse. The database will pull your company information from other FMCSA systems using your USDOT Number. Registration is free.
  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    Designate your C/TPA – Registered companies will be required to designate any C/TPAs that they do business with in the Clearinghouse to allow the C/TPA access the Clearinghouse database on the employer’s behalf. All Owner-Operators (employers who employ themselves as CDL drivers as a single driver operation) are required to designate a C/TPA in the Clearinghouse.
  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    Pre-Employment Screening – Employers are required to run detailed database full queries on all applicants they are planning to hire for regulated positions to ensure they do not have outstanding positive test results. Applicant is required to be registered with the clearinghouse.
  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    Annual Screening – Employers will be required to run limited database queries for current drivers at least once a year to determine whether any information exists in the Clearinghouse about those employees. If the limited query returns any results, a detailed database full query will then be required.
  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    Reporting – Report drug and alcohol testing violations to the Clearinghouse, refusals to take a drug or alcohol test, and any actual knowledge of a violation. Employers must also report negative return-to-duty (RTD) test results and the successful completion of a driver’s follow-up testing plan.
  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    Training – Train your Designated Employer Representative (DER) and safety officers on the required documentation for reporting “actual knowledge” of drugs or alcohol use while operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)

How AZC Drug Testing Can Help

As a Consortia Third Party Administrator (C/TPA), AZC Drug Testing can assist you in navigating the registration and compliance process with the FMCSA Clearinghouse. Services available include:

  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    Compliance Consultation and Registration Assistance
  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    Pre-employment and Annual Clearinghouse Query Assistance
  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    Owner-operator reporting and Clearinghouse requirement assistance
  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    Assist drivers to correct inaccurate information contained in the clearinghouse
  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    Employer Clearinghouse Reporting assistance for positive alcohol tests and employer determined refusals to test
  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    SAP Required Return to Duty and Follow-up Testing Program Management and Reporting
  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Consortium & Testing
  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    DOT Policy Development
  • FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse
    DER and Supervisor Training
A lab technician viewing a sample under a microscope

SAP Required Return to Duty and Follow-up Testing Program Management

When a FMCSA regulated driver tests positive for drug or alcohol, that positive result is reported to the Clearinghouse and the individual is prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions until the Return to Duty process is complete. The return-to-duty process includes an evaluation by a DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) who will recommend an education/treatment plan and follow-up testing program. AZC Drug Testing can manage the return to duty program as set by your SAP and make sure all follow up test are completed as ordered and complete the necessary reporting to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.

Contact Us

AZC Drug Testing looks forward to working with you to help you navigate the FMCSA Clearinghouse compliance regulations. Contact us today to take advantage of our expertise.