Drug & Alcohol Testing and the Clearinghouse

FMCSA

US federalAwaiting academy review Last reviewed: not yet reviewed
This overview has not been confirmed as current by the academy. Treat it as background reading and check the official source before relying on it.

CDL drivers are subject to pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable-suspicion, return-to-duty and follow-up testing; employers query the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.

Employers must query the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse before hiring a CDL driver and at least once a year for every current driver (49 CFR 382.701), and report violations. Drivers with a violation are prohibited from safety-sensitive functions until they complete the return-to-duty process.

Clearinghouse II (compliance date 18 November 2024): state driver licensing agencies must remove commercial driving privileges from drivers in "prohibited" status — completing the downgrade within 60 days of FMCSA's notice — and must not issue, renew, upgrade or transfer a CDL or CLP for them until return-to-duty is complete.

Official source: FMCSA

Educational information only. Requirements can change. Verify current requirements with the applicable government authority or qualified professional before acting.

Related regulatory updates
  • Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse
    Effective Jan 5, 2020
    Awaiting academy review Last reviewed: not yet reviewed
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