FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has created a national drug and alcohol testing clearinghouse that will take effect on Jan. 6, 2020. The regulation that established the clearinghouse was required by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).

The clearinghouse will centralize the testing processing for commercial driver license holders (CDLs) who operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The clearinghouse is expected to improve roadway safety by helping employers identify drivers who are ineligible to operate a CMV because they have violated FMCSA drug and alcohol regulations.

Motor carriers will need to use the national clearinghouse database to check on a current employee’s status at least once per year. Verification for prospective employees must be part of the employer’s hiring process.

HIGHLIGHTS

Employer Obligations

• The national clearinghouse database will administer and enforce the drug and alcohol testing program.
• Employers must use the database to ensure current and prospective employees do not have unresolved violations.
• The database will enable employers to identify drivers who are ineligible to operate a CMV.

Important Dates

• The national clearinghouse final rule was published on December 5, 2016.
• Compliance with the final rule is required by January 6, 2020.
• On Sep. 6, 2019, the FMCSA proposed extending the compliance for state licensing agencies only to January 6, 2023.

Additional Resoruces

• FMCSA CLD drug and alcohol clearinghouse website
• Clearinghouse FAQs
• Compliance overview 
• U.S. Department of Transportation dowload