A new regulation in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is now in effect, revoking driving privileges from some commercial drivers.
Starting today, November 18, 2024, drivers listed as "prohibited" in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse due to reported violations will face a denial or revocation of their commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learner’s permit (CLP).
Under new federal regulations, the FMCSA is collaborating with State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) to enforce these rules, enhancing safety by preventing drivers from hiding their violations and ensuring that only qualified drivers hold commercial licenses. This initiative aligns with the FMCSA's commitment to road safety and responsible commercial driving.
The regulation mandates SDLAs to start downgrading CDLs on November 18, 2024, but some states may have already done so if they have the legislative authority to query the Clearinghouse and act upon their findings.
How to Reinstate a Commercial Driver's License After Clearinghouse Violations
If a driver faces a license downgrade, they must complete the DOT return-to-duty process involving evaluation, treatment, and testing, managed by a professional, to regain their commercial driving privileges.
This Foley article explains the return-to-duty process and DOT drug test requirements in detail.
What is the FMCSA Clearinghouse?
The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is a centralized database to track CDL and CLP holders' drug and alcohol violations, significantly enhancing road safety by providing essential data to employers, SDLAs, law enforcement, and the FMCSA. This system was established on January 6, 2020 under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).
Get Compliant in the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse
Foley offers Clearinghouse compliance management to companies that employ CDL drivers. Whether you need to complete your Clearinghouse registration, run annual Clearinghouse queries, or check to see if any of your CDL drivers are in "prohibited" status, we can help.
We also offer continuous driver monitoring, including motor vehicle report (MVR) monitoring and compliance, safety, and accountability (CSA) score monitoring to help you keep tabs on CDL downgrades and DOT compliance audit risks due to driver behaviors.
Click here to get a free demo of Dash, the Foley software platform, that consolidates your DOT compliance programs in one place and gives you peace of mind ahead of the 2024 FMCSA Clearinghouse changes.
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