CLEARINGHOUSE REGISTRATION

FMCSA Clearinghouse, giving employers, drivers and regulators real-time access to CDL drug and alcohol violation records.

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What is Clearinghouse?

The DOT Clearinghouse is a FMCSA database that tracks drug and alcohol violations for CDL drivers. All CDL drivers and employers are required to register and use the system. The Clearinghouse provides real-time access to violation records, helping employers, regulators, and enforcement agencies ensure drivers meet federal safety requirements. This improves transparency and helps keep unsafe drivers off the road.

FMCSA Clearinghouse

Who Needs to Register for the FMCSA Clearinghouse?

In general, you will need to register with FMCSA Clearinghouse if you are one of the following:

CDL drivers (Commercial Driver's License holders)
Employers of CDL drivers
Owner-operators
Medical review officers (MROs)
Substance abuse professionals (SAPs)
TPAs (Third-Party Administrators)

Employer requirements for Clearinghouse

Once registered, the Clearinghouse for DOT becomes an ongoing part of your hiring and compliance process. Employers must:

Before employment

Run a full query on every driver during pre-employment

Obtain electronic driver consent before any full query

Ongoing compliance

Conduct a limited query at least once a year for each driver

Report any drug or alcohol program violations

Record negative return-to-duty test results and follow-up testing

Employers who fail to comply are subject to civil fines of up to $2,500 per offense.

Frequently Asked

Clearinghouse Registration FAQ

Do CDL drivers need to register?

Yes. Any CDL driver applying for a new job, or with a reported violation, must register for Clearinghouse to:

Give electronic consent for employer queries
View their own Clearinghouse record
Designate a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and complete return-to-duty

What gets reported to the Clearinghouse?

Four categories of records get reported for DOT Clearinghouse:

Positive drug and alcohol test results
Test refusals
Actual knowledge of use by an employer
Return-to-duty status and follow-up testing

How do employers use Clearinghouse?

Employers query the Clearinghouse before and during employment, and report violations as they occur:

Run a pre-employment full query before hiring a CDL driver
Run an annual limited query on every current driver
Report any drug or alcohol violations and actual knowledge of use
Track each driver’s return-to-duty process to completion

How long does a violation stay on file with FMCSA?

Five years — or until the driver completes the return-to-duty process, whichever is longer.

What happens if I don’t comply with FMCSA Clearinghouse?

Non-compliance carries real consequences:

Civil penalties and fines
Out-of-service orders
Delayed hiring or driver disqualification

Stay Compliant with the Clearinghouse

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