Your FMCSA Clearinghouse Questions Ans

The Clearinghouse is a secure online database created by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or the FMCSA for short. It was created to give these people: employers, the FMCSA, State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs), and State law enforcement agents real-time information about drug and alcohol program violations for commercial driver’s license and learner’s permit (CLP) holders.

There has never been a clear way to see drug and alcohol test records and violations from state to state because each state has their own reporting process – that’s why the FMCSA Clearinghouse was created. Now, drug and alcohol test results, including test refusals, for all CDL and CLP holders can be accessible in one location.

If you’re a truck driver you might think you don’t need to know about the Clearinghouse but that’s not true! Employers, drivers, medical review officers (MROs), substance abuse professionals (SAPs), and drug and alcohol consortiums all have to register in the Clearinghouse.

If you’re wondering how much it’s going to cost. The good news is that registration and submissions are free. Registration is open now so you can go register today at this website. clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov

But trucking company owners, owner-operators, and drug and alcohol consortiums are going to have to pay for queries. A query is an electronic check verifying if current or prospective employees are prohibited from operating due to unresolved drug and alcohol program violations.

The cost per query is $1.25. There are query bundles available making the cost per query cheaper, but those prices are going to vary. The FMCSA suggests you choose a bundle that includes enough queries for each driver you employ. You can always purchase additional plans and they don’t ever expire.

It’s a great idea to register now because the mandatory use of the Clearinghouse goes into effect on January 6th, 2020. Employers will be required to report certain drug and alcohol program violations and can start conducting queries. Remember, manual inquiries with previous employers covering the last three years are still required. For now, you will need to use the Clearinghouse and state drug and alcohol violation reporting agencies, too.

In three years on January 6, 2023, the CDL Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse will officially be the only remaining database remaining.

So, there is your quick Clearinghouse rundown. I didn’t cover everything you might need to know, just the basics, so if you want more detailed information you can head over to the FMCSA FAQs page here https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/FAQ

Check out our blog to learn more https://www.apexcapitalcorp.com/blog/fmcsa-cdl-drug-alcohol-clearinghouse/