The Clearinghouse, a web-based system found at https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov, will provide Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and employers of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers with the necessary tools to identify drivers who are prohibited from operating CMVs due to DOT drug and alcohol program violations. The Clearinghouse will help ensure that such drivers receive the evaluation and treatment required by DOT regulation before being permitted to operate a CMV on public roads. Information maintained in the Clearinghouse will enable employers to identify drivers who commit a drug or alcohol program violation while working for one employer but fail to subsequently inform another employer. Records of drug and alcohol program violations will remain in the Clearinghouse for five years, or until the driver has completed the return-to-duty process, whichever is later.
All SAPs who work with or plan to work with covered employees under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration must register with the Clearinghouse.
Mandated by Congress, the Clearinghouse Final Rule can be found at
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/commercial-drivers-license-drug-and-alcohol-clearinghouse.
To successfully register in the Clearinghouse, you will need to:
- Self-certify your qualifications – that you have the credentials and basic knowledge necessary for SAPs to have, per § 40.281.
- Invite any employee you have to register as well, if you are planning on having them input information on your behalf into the Clearinghouse.
- Be registered in order to accept a Driver’s request to be the driver’s designated SAP.
- Once registered, make sure to subscribe for email updates; read frequently asked questions; and download Clearinghouse factsheet(s).
- SAPs must comply with the following Clearinghouse requirements, beginning January 6, 2020:
- Enter the date the driver’s initial assessment is completed, by the close of the business date following the assessment.
- Enter the date you determine the driver is eligible for RTD (return to duty) testing, by the close of the business day following the determination.
- You will not upload any documentation including follow-up testing plans into the Clearinghouse.
Tools available to you regarding the FMCSA: