The FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse holds some of the most sensitive information in trucking: drug and alcohol violations, return-to-duty status, and query results for CDL drivers. In 2026, FMCSA added an identity verification step for many new Clearinghouse users. If you are a motor carrier, owner-operator or safety manager who needs to register a new Clearinghouse account, this change affects you.
What changed on April 27, 2026
According to FMCSA's Clearinghouse identity verification announcement, beginning April 27, 2026, new registrants must:
- Sign in with a Login.gov account, and
- Verify their identity by scanning a government-issued photo ID and taking a selfie in FMCSA's identity verification mobile app.
FMCSA describes this as a first phase. Existing users will be asked to complete identity verification in a later phase, and FMCSA had not announced a date for that phase at the time of writing.
Who is affected
The new identity verification step applies to new registrants in these roles:
- Employers, including owner-operators who register as an employer
- Consortium/third-party administrators (C/TPAs)
- Medical Review Officers (MROs)
- Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs)
- Assistants to employers, MROs and SAPs
Drivers are not affected by this change. FMCSA already verifies driver accounts by matching them to commercial driver's license information.
Why FMCSA is adding identity verification
Clearinghouse users can see and report information that affects a driver's ability to work. A verified identity helps make sure the person reporting a violation, running a query or designating a C/TPA is actually who they say they are. It also helps protect employers and drivers from fraudulent accounts.
What employers and owner-operators should do
If you are registering for the first time
Plan for the extra step. Have a valid government-issued photo ID and a smartphone that can run the FMCSA identity verification app. Complete registration well before you need to run your first pre-employment query, because you cannot hire a driver into safety-sensitive work until the required query is done.
If you already have an account
You do not need to do anything until FMCSA prompts existing users. Keep your Login.gov account information and multi-factor authentication current so you are not locked out when the prompt arrives.
If you are adding an assistant or new safety manager
New assistants are new registrants, so they must complete identity verification themselves. Build that time into onboarding for a new safety or compliance employee.
If you use a C/TPA
Owner-operators must designate a C/TPA in the Clearinghouse, and employers may also use a C/TPA to run queries and report on their behalf. The designation is done from your own employer account, so your account must be active and verified if FMCSA asks. See DOT Consortium & Random Pool Requirements for Owner-Operators.
A related reminder: prohibited drivers lose CDL privileges
Since November 18, 2024, state driver licensing agencies have been required to remove commercial driving privileges from drivers whose Clearinghouse status is "prohibited," as FMCSA explains in its CDL downgrade FAQ. Privileges are restored after the driver completes the return-to-duty process. Accurate reporting by employers, MROs and SAPs directly affects a driver's license status. See our return-to-duty guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do drivers need to complete the new Clearinghouse identity verification?
No. FMCSA says drivers are not affected, because driver accounts are verified through CDL information.
When do existing employer users need to verify their identity?
FMCSA says existing users will be prompted in a later phase. No date had been announced as of late September 2026.
Can Test Pro LLC register in the Clearinghouse for my company?
No. Each employer registers its own account. After registering, an employer can designate a C/TPA such as Test Pro LLC to perform permitted functions, and owner-operators are required to designate one.
Is Login.gov still required?
Yes. The identity verification step is in addition to signing in with Login.gov.
Clearinghouse help from Test Pro LLC
Test Pro LLC is a registered C/TPA in the Clearinghouse and helps Washington carriers and owner-operators with Clearinghouse designations, queries and reporting, along with DOT random consortium enrollment. Learn about pre-employment vs. annual queries, or contact Test Pro LLC for help.