1. What is the FMCSA Clearinghouse?
   It is a database that will contain CDL drivers’ drug and alcohol program violations. It will also contain information about whether a driver has successfully completed the mandatory return-to-duty drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation process. 

    

2. When does the Clearinghouse go into effect?
   The Clearinghouse will go into effect on January 6, 2020 

    

3. Who will be affected?
   Employers, Service Agents, Employees, Substance Abuse Professionals, Medical Review Officers and Cloud Storage 

    

4. Who will be required to query the Clearinghouse?
   Employers, their Service agents and C/TPAs will be required to query the Clearinghouse for pre-employment screening and annual verification. 

    

5. How do I know when it’s time to register for the Clearinghouse?
   Log on to the FMCSA Clearinghouse website (see bottom of FAQ) to sign up to receive email updates, including a notification once registration is open. Registration is scheduled to open in fall of 2019. 

    

6. What is the difference between a limited and full query?
   A full query shows detailed information about a driver’s drug/alcohol violations in their Clearinghouse record. A full query is required on all applicants for CDL/CLP driving positions (FMCSA). A limited query does not release any specific drug/alcohol violation information found in the driver’s Clearinghouse
   record, but simply informs the employer that a full query is required. A limited query should be run at least annually for all existing CDL drivers (FMCSA). 

    

7. Is there a fee to query a driver?
   Yes. The fee to query a driver is $1.25 flat per query rate – limited or full. More details on website (see bottom of FAQ). 

    

8. Does the employer have to obtain consent from the driver prior to requesting a query?
   Yes, the driver must provide consent (written or electronic) prior to the employer obtaining the query. The type of consent required, either general for limited or specific for full, depends on the type of the query requested by the employer. May have annual or multiyear consent for limited query. 

    

9. What happens if a driver refuses consent?
   The driver will not be able to perform safety sensitive functions such as driving a CMV. 

    

10. How long will driver info be accessible to employers?
    Information regarding the driver will be accessible to employers for a minimum of 5 years unless the driver does not satisfy the return to duty requirements. In such case, the driver information will remain accessible to employers indefinitely. 

     

11. How long is the Clearinghouse registration valid?
    Registration is valid for 5 years unless revoked or cancelled. The FMCSA will cancel Clearinghouse registrations that are inactive for 2 years.

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For more information please visit:
https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/FAQ/FAQLearnMoreAll