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The DOT Clearinghouse Explained

What is the DOT Clearinghouse?

The Clearinghouse was established by an act of Congress to the Secretary of Transportation in January of 2020. The DOT Clearinghouse is an online database that provides employers, the FMCSA, State Driver Licensing Agencies (SCLAs), and state law enforcement personnel real-time information about commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders’ drug and alcohol program violations.
To put it simply, the DOT Clearinghouse provides the FMCSA and employers a secure system to identify drivers who are prohibited from operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle based on their previous drug and alcohol program violations. It also determines which drivers are required to receive evaluation and treatment before operating a CMV on public roads.
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Is the DOT Clearinghouse mandatory?

If your company has CDL drivers, you are required by law to register yourself and, with consent, your drivers in the Clearinghouse. Drivers themselves do not need to register but instead the employer will need to do this for them. If you are a self-employed driver, you will need to register as an employer and select, when prompted, owner/operator (a driver who employs themselves as a CDL driver)

What is a DOT Clearinghouse Full Query?

A DOT Clearinghouse Full Query will check a driver’s record in the Clearinghouse electronically to see if they are prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions (i.e. operating a CMV) due to unresolved drug and alcohol violations. Per § 382.701, employers of CDL drivers must query their drivers as part of the pre-employment hiring process. A full query is a more detailed view of a driver’s drug and alcohol history.

What is a DOT Clearinghouse Limited Query?

A limited query will only show if drug and alcohol violations are resolved or unresolved for a driver. To dive deeper into the full details of your driver you will need to process a full query. Also, when performing pre-employment queries, it is required that you do a full query.  For a full comparison between a full and limited query, please reference the chart below:
Source: FMCSA

How often do I need to query the DOT Clearinghouse?

Employers are required to query each of their drivers annually with the DOT Clearinghouse. This also includes you, the owner-operator of the business. All queries require driver consent before they can be administered.

How do drivers resolve drug and alcohol violations?

After drivers have returned a positive drug and alcohol test, they will need to complete a return-to-duty (RTD) process by obtaining a negative RTD test result. The follow-up testing plan prescribed will need to be conducted by a substance abuse professional (SAP). After these requirements are met, the driver is now allowed to perform safety-sensitive functions (i.e. operating a CMV).

What if I don’t register with the DOT Clearinghouse?

If you are required to register with the Clearinghouse but choose not to, the FMCSA will fine you up to $5833 per violation. This can add up pretty quickly! All drug and alcohol test failures, refusal to submit these tests, and completion of the return-to-duty program must be recorded by the appropriate personnel. By not doing this you will be fined heavily by the FMCSA.  

The stress-free way to register

FleetDrive 360 makes registering your company in the DOT Clearinghouse an easy, stress-free process! Backed by the power of our Compliance Automation Software, you are able to manage everything from scheduling pre-employment drug tests to checking the testing status from each of your drivers. At the tap of a button, you can be on your way to having a fully compliant business. Call 470-598-1501 today to speak with one of our compliance agents about our services!


This post first appeared on Fleet Maintenance Management Software And Solutions | FleetDrive360, please read the originial post: here

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The DOT Clearinghouse Explained

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