The FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse is a secure online database that records drug and alcohol program violations by commercial driver's license (CDL) and commercial learner's permit (CLP) holders. It was created so that a driver who fails or refuses a DOT test cannot simply move to another employer without completing the return-to-duty process. For motor carriers, it adds two ongoing duties: querying the Clearinghouse about drivers and reporting certain information to it.
This article explains the main requirements for employers, owner-operators and drivers. For the official rules, see FMCSA's Clearinghouse website and 49 CFR Part 382, Subpart G.
Who must use the Clearinghouse
- Employers of CDL drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles on public roads, including motor carriers, government employers and other FMCSA-regulated employers
- Owner-operators, who are both the employer and the driver
- Consortium/third-party administrators (C/TPAs) acting for employers
- Medical Review Officers (MROs) and Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs)
- CDL and CLP drivers, who must register to give consent for full queries and to view their own records
What gets reported
The Clearinghouse records drug and alcohol program violations and return-to-duty progress, including:
- Verified positive, adulterated or substituted drug test results (reported by the MRO)
- Alcohol confirmation test results of 0.04 or higher
- Refusals to test
- Actual knowledge of prohibited use, such as on-duty alcohol use
- The SAP's initial assessment date and determination that the driver is eligible for return-to-duty testing
- Negative return-to-duty test results and completion of follow-up testing
Employers generally must report information they are responsible for by the close of the third business day after they obtain it. MROs report verified results within 2 business days.
Employer query requirements
Employers must query the Clearinghouse:
- Before hiring: a full query, with the driver's electronic consent in the Clearinghouse, before the driver performs safety-sensitive functions
- Every year: at least one query for each driver they employ, usually a limited query using the driver's general written consent
If a limited query shows that information exists, the employer must run a full query within 24 hours or remove the driver from safety-sensitive functions. Our article on pre-employment vs. annual queries explains the differences in detail.
What "prohibited" status means
A driver with an unresolved violation in the Clearinghouse is in prohibited status and cannot perform safety-sensitive functions, such as driving a commercial motor vehicle, for any employer. Since November 18, 2024, state driver licensing agencies must also remove the commercial driving privilege from prohibited drivers. The driver's status changes only after they complete the return-to-duty process and a negative return-to-duty test is reported.
Requirements for owner-operators
Owner-operators must register in the Clearinghouse as an employer, designate a C/TPA to report on their behalf, and run the required queries on themselves, either directly or through their designated C/TPA. See DOT Consortium & Random Pool Requirements for Owner-Operators.
What drivers need to do
- Register for a Clearinghouse account, using Login.gov, before you need to give consent for a pre-employment full query.
- Respond quickly when a prospective employer asks for consent. Your new job cannot start until the full query is done.
- If you have a violation, designate a SAP in the Clearinghouse to begin the return-to-duty process.
- Review your own record. Drivers can petition FMCSA to correct administrative errors, such as a data entry mistake or a duplicate report, but the petition process cannot be used to contest the accuracy of a test result or a refusal.
2026 update: identity verification for new registrants
Since April 27, 2026, new employer, C/TPA, MRO, SAP and assistant registrants must complete identity verification in addition to Login.gov. Drivers are not affected. Read FMCSA Clearinghouse Identity Verification Changes for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all CDL drivers need to register in the Clearinghouse?
A driver needs an account to give electronic consent for a full query, which every new employer must run before hiring. In practice, CDL drivers who are looking for work or changing jobs should register.
How long does a violation stay in the Clearinghouse?
Under 49 CFR 382.719, a violation remains visible to employers until the driver has completed the return-to-duty process, including all follow-up testing, and 5 years have passed since the violation. Both conditions must be met.
Can my employer see my Clearinghouse record without my consent?
No. Employers need the driver's consent to run queries: general written consent for a limited query and specific electronic consent in the Clearinghouse for a full query.
Can a C/TPA run Clearinghouse queries for my company?
Yes. After an employer designates a C/TPA in the Clearinghouse, the C/TPA can run queries and report information on the employer's behalf. The employer still needs a query plan.
Clearinghouse help from Test Pro LLC
Test Pro LLC has a registered C/TPA profile in the FMCSA Clearinghouse and helps Washington employers and owner-operators with designations, queries and reporting, along with DOT random consortium and DOT drug testing services. Contact Test Pro LLC or book an appointment.