New FMCSA Rule Mandates CDL Downgrades for Drug Violations
New FMCSA Rule Mandates CDL Downgrades for Drug Violations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is mandating States to downgrade Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL) for drug & alcohol violations that have been reported to the FMCSA Clearinghouse if the driver is placed on prohibited driving status.
The new requirement is part of FMCSA’s Clearinghouse II regulation. This is intended to make it more difficult for drivers to continue operating commercial motor vehicles after receiving a drug or alcohol violation.
Clearinghouse II requires State driver license agencies to remove the commercial driving privileges of drivers that are in a “prohibited” status in the FMCSA Clearinghouse. The CDL downgrade does not affect the ability of a driver to operate a vehicle that does not require a CDL license to operate.
The “prohibited” status can be removed and the CDL privileges reinstated once the driver completes the return-to-duty process, which includes an evaluation and authorization from a certified Substance Abuse Professional to return-to-duty after following a prescribed education or treatment plan and passing a return-to-duty drug and/or alcohol test for a motor carrier.
Please contact AZC Drug Testing if you need assistance with having the prohibited status removed once you have completed the Substance Abuse Professional evaluation process and have been cleared to take a return-to-duty test.
About AZC Drug Testing
For owner-operators and companies both large and small, AZC Drug Testing is your one-stop-shop for FMCSA and DOT compliance. We’ll cover all your bases so you can focus on your business. Unlike other drug testing companies, AZC Drug Testing provides unmatched expertise and experience, which gives you peace of mind. Consortium and custom drug and alcohol testing programs are available nationwide through AZC Drug Testing. Learn more about AZC Drug Testing’s FMCSA drug & alcohol testing programs.
