The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse changed the trucking industry when it launched in January 2020âand the November 2024 Clearinghouse II update made consequences even more severe. At Charlotte DOT Exam Center, Dr. Alan Tebby and Dr. Lemuel Byrd have helped drivers navigate Clearinghouse requirements since day one. With 84+ years of combined experience and a 4.8-star rating, we ensure every test is properly documented and reported.
If you hold a CDL, the Clearinghouse directly affects your career. Every positive drug test, alcohol violation, and refusal to test is recorded in this federal databaseâand every employer must check it before hiring you. Understanding how the Clearinghouse works helps you protect your CDL and know what to expect if a violation occurs.
Charlotte DOT Exam Center understands the reporting chain that connects your test results to the Clearinghouse. When MROs report verified positive results, they flow into this national database within days. We ensure proper documentation throughout the testing process so results are reported accurately and completely.
The Clearinghouse is a secure online database operated by FMCSA that tracks drug and alcohol program violations for commercial driverâs license (CDL) holders. It serves as a central repository that employers, medical review officers (MROs), substance abuse professionals (SAPs), and other authorized users can access.
Before the Clearinghouse, a driver could test positive in one state, move to another, and find work without the new employer knowing about the violation. The Clearinghouse closed this loophole by creating a national system that follows drivers regardless of where they work.
The following violations and actions are reported:
On November 18, 2024, FMCSA implemented âClearinghouse IIâ rules that significantly increased consequences for drivers in prohibited status:
Before Clearinghouse II, a driver with a violation could keep their CDL and simply avoid DOT-regulated work. Now, the violation directly impacts CDL status regardless of employment.
FMCSA publishes Clearinghouse data that reveals the scope of drug and alcohol violations in commercial transportation:
| Metric | Current Data |
|---|---|
| Drivers in prohibited status | 184,337 |
| 2024 positive marijuana tests | 34,936 |
| Marijuana % of all violations | 59% |
| Drivers who completed RTD | ~15% of those with violations |
| Record retention period | 5 years from violation date |
The data shows that marijuana remains the dominant substance causing CDL drivers to lose their careersâdespite state legalization, federal law still prohibits THC for commercial drivers.
Employers must query the Clearinghouse in several situations:
Employers who fail to query the Clearinghouse face significant penalties and audit findings. If they hire a driver in prohibited status, both the employer and driver face consequences.
CDL drivers should register in the Clearinghouse even before any violation occurs:
Having an account established before you need it simplifies employer queries during the hiring process.
When a violation is reported, the following sequence occurs:
MRO, employer, or other authorized party reports the violation to the Clearinghouse.
Driver is immediately prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions for any DOT employer.
Under Clearinghouse II, state DMV receives notification and begins CDL downgrade process.
Driver must complete SAP evaluation and all treatment recommendations.
Pass a return-to-duty test under direct observation with negative result.
Employer reports RTD completion to Clearinghouse. Driver can return to safety-sensitive duties and CDL can be restored.
Violation records remain in the Clearinghouse for five years from the date of the violationânot the date of reporting or resolution. Even after completing the return-to-duty process, employers can see that you had a violation and when it occurred.
Completing the return-to-duty process removes your âprohibitedâ status, but the violation record remains visible. Future employers will see that you had a violation, completed the SAP process, and returned to duty. Many employers have policies against hiring drivers with recent Clearinghouse violations.
No. The Clearinghouse only tracks DOT-regulated drug and alcohol testing violations. Non-DOT drug tests conducted under employer company policy are not reported to the Clearinghouse, even for CDL drivers.
Yes. After registering at clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov, you can view your complete record at no cost. Youâll see any violations, your current status, and whether employers have queried your record. This is the same information employers see with a full query.
You can dispute inaccurate information through the Clearinghouse website. The reporting party will be contacted to verify or correct the information. Document any supporting evidence before filing a dispute.
Registration isnât mandatory, but itâs recommended. Having an account established speeds up the hiring process when employers need to run queries. Youâll also need an account to provide electronic consent for employer full queries.
MROs must report verified positive results within specified timeframesâtypically within a few business days after verification. You may see the violation in your Clearinghouse record within 1-2 weeks of the test, though exact timing varies.
No. The violation record remains for five years regardless of whether you complete the return-to-duty process. Completion updates your status from âprohibitedâ but doesnât delete the underlying violation record.
Every DOT drug test at Charlotte DOT Exam Center follows protocols that ensure proper Clearinghouse reporting when required. Our testing connects to the national MRO network that reports verified results to FMCSAâs database.
Questions about how the Clearinghouse affects you? Our staff understands these requirements and can explain how testing results flow into the federal system.
Walk-ins welcome Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM.
Call 704-544-3494 or visit us at 8415 Pineville-Matthews Road, Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28226.
For comprehensive information about all DOT drug testing requirements, visit our main DOT Drug Testing Charlotte NC hub page.