Federally mandated by the FMCSA, motor carriers with CDL drivers will need to use the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse – how compliant are you?
What is the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse?
The FMCSA has created an online database to track drug and alcohol program violations nationwide, including positive drug or alcohol test results and refusals. The database can be queried to find out if a CDL driver has any drug or alcohol violations that would impact their ability to perform safety-sensitive functions. In addition, the database supports other related processes like Return-to-Duty, follow-up testing, SAP assignment, carrier and driver registration, password management, driver notifications, and driver consent tracking. The Clearinghouse closes the loophole of drivers testing positive and future motor carriers not finding out.
How Does the Clearinghouse Impact You?
Fleets under the authority of FMCSA are required to register online and create an account in order to access the Clearinghouse. You will also need to change multiple business processes and procedures to comply with the new Clearinghouse requirements.
Your pre-employment screening process will need to include querying the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse for each potential new hire after the driver authorizes access to their data.
Performing at least one Clearinghouse query annually for every active CDL driver under your authority is required along with storing the driver’s consent in their DQ file.
In addition, fleets are responsible for entering all D&A program violations, including refusals, direct observations, and Return-to-Duty into the database within 3 business days of the occurrence.
“The visibility, expertise, and guidance we receive from Fleetworthy Solutions is priceless. We have visibility into our regulatory compliance like never before, which helps us make the right decisions and gives us confidence in our compliance.”
How Can Fleetworthy Help?
Industry leading and knowledgeable Specialists in FMCSA/DOT safety compliance at Fleetworthy can take over the day-to-day activities required to comply with the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse mandate. We can represent your company as a third-party administrator (TPA) to act on your behalf:
- Performing pre-employment checks on drivers
- Performing annual checks on active drivers
- Ad hoc/periodic checks on drivers
- Submitting Drug & Alcohol program violations
- Entering negative RTD and follow-up tests
- Updating Driver Qualification Files
Fleetworthy can manage D&A Clearinghouse interactions efficiently and simplify compliance. You can save on recruitment and onboarding costs when you choose Fleetworthy Solutions instead of adding more safety staff to administer the program.
What Should I Do Next?
Fleetworthy has created a special D&A Clearinghouse consulting package to help ensure you not only meet, but exceed the requirements of the D&A Clearinghouse mandate.
Contact us to have one of Fleetworthy’s expert Consultants collaborate with you on providing the following services so that your fleet and drivers are aligned with the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse requirements:
- Initial Clearinghouse program setup and guidance
- Clearinghouse policy review and modification
- Clearinghouse procedure review and recommendations
- Clearinghouse education & training
