As of February 21, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse identified nearly 8,000 substance abuse violations since January 6, 2020. Too often, commercial drivers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on the road, causing accidents for innocent drivers and costing their employer big money. Can your company afford such an incident? That’s why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is here to help.

The Clearinghouse is an online database that helps keep roads safer for all drivers by identifying specific commercial drivers prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions due to a drug and alcohol program violation. Here, you’ll find the driver’s records of positive test results, test refusals, alcohol and drug use while on the job, and when a driver completes the return-to-duty process.

Its aim is to reduce traffic incidents and improve driving safety by providing employers with the tools to hire the right people, keep track of violators, and report incidents. In turn, employers can reduce risk and avoid expensive lawsuits.

Employers must be registered with the Clearinghouse prior to doing the following:

  • Testing inquiries when hiring a CDL driver
  • Report violations
  • Designate their consortia or third party administer to access Clearinghouse
  • Conduct annual inquiries on all current drivers

Registration for drivers is free and not required, however, they are encouraged to register in order to perform the following:

  • View information on their own record
  • Provide electronic consent in Clearinghouse if a prospective or current employer needs to conduct a full query of their records
  • Select a substance abuse professional if necessary
  • Receive electronic notifications of record activity from FMCSA

For more information on how you can register, avoid hiring risky drivers, and help to improve road safety, visits the FMCSA’s Clearinghouse website at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.