Excerpts from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, for MROs and SAPs, from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. View PDF

The FMCSA Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

Database containing CDL drivers’ drug and alcohol program violation information

Reported by employers and medical review officers (e.g., positive tests, refusals, etc.)
Information includes whether a driver has successfully completed the mandatory return-to-duty (RTD) process following a violation

The Clearinghouse keeps driver information secure

Only selected registered users, including employers and FMCSA, can register and access the Clearinghouse for designated purposes
Other enforcement agencies, such as SDLAs and State law enforcement agencies, only receive driver eligibility status
Drivers can access their own information, but not information of other drivers
The Clearinghouse meets all relevant Federal security standards and FMCSA will verify the effectiveness of security protections regularly

The Clearinghouse Final Rule

Mandated by Congress (MAP-21, Section 32402)
Published December 5, 2016
Established requirements for the Clearinghouse
Identified January 6, 2020 as the Clearinghouse implementation date

Read the Clearinghouse Here

Who is required to use the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse?

Drivers who hold commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) or commercial learner’s permits (CLPs)*
Employers of CDL drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs)
Consortia/third-party administrations (C/TPAs)
Medical review officers (MROs)
Substance abuse professionals (SAPs)
State Drivers Licensing Agencies (SDLAs)

*who need to respond to employer consent requests

What actions will users take in the Clearinghouse?

Record – Drivers’ drug and/or alcohol program violations, and other related information in the Clearinghouse
Consent – Authorization to conduct a query
– Requested by employers or C/TPAs
– Provided or refused by drivers
Query – Determine if the Clearinghouse contains any records for the queried driver

Learn More About What To Do Here

SAPs:

WORK – for SAP company(ies), or self-employed
REGISTER – for the Clearinghouse and self-certify qualifications
ENTER – RTD information into the Clearinghouse (date initial assessment completed, date driver eligible for RTD test)
INVITE – SAP Assistant(s) to enter RTD information on their behalf

Driver must designate the SAP in the Clearinghouse before the SAP may enter RTD information about the driver in the Clearinghouse.

Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse: For SAPs