You may have been hearing the buzz about the new FMCSA Clearinghouse and wondering exactly what it is for, and how it affects you and your CDL.
Effective January 6, 2020 the FMCSA will require mandatory reporting of a driver's violations of the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program 49 CFR (Part 382) to the Clearinghouse, and CDL drivers and employers of commercial drivers can review the driver's Clearinghouse record.
In order for you to view your full Clearinghouse record you are required to register. It's important to check your record periodically to make sure what is being reported is YOUR record as the reporting is linked to your CDL number.
In order for the Commercial Carrier (employer) to review your record, you must give your consent for the employer to do either a Full Query, or a Limited Query.
Beginning January 6, 2020, employers of CDL drivers are required to verify that any current or prospective driver is not prohibited from operating commercial motor vehicles or performing other safety-sensitive functions due to any unresolved drug and alcohol program violation, such as completion of an SAP (Substance Abuse Professional Program) following a positive result.
Registration is now open, and CDL drivers may register by clicking on the link below:
https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/Register
Just as employers are now required to perform an Annual Violation Review of the CDL driver's MVR, they will now have to do an Annual review of the driver's Clearinghouse record of Drug and Alcohol Program violations. In order for the employer to perform what is called a Limited Query, the driver will have to provide consent. FirstFleet will be posting a Consent Document on our Portal in the near future for your signature. This consent will be active for the entire term of your employment.
In the event that a Drug and Alcohol Program violation is found during the Limited Query, your consent will be requested to perform a Full Query of your Clearinghouse records.
For a full explanation of the Clearinghouse, click here.