Are you Ready for the new Clearinghouse Policy?
Under the new Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Rules, all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulated employers, including owner-operators, are required to register with the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The start date for the Clearinghouse is January 6, 2020.
The Clearinghouse is a central database to contain all relevant drug and alcohol testing information for commercial drivers as a part of their driver files. This is a safety program and a tool for employers to verify new and current drivers do not have open drug and alcohol testing violations on their record.
Per 49 CFR Part §382.711 Clearinghouse Registration
- (a) Clearinghouse registration required. Each employer and service agent must register with the Clearinghouse before accessing or reporting information in the Clearinghouse.
- (b) Employers
- (1) Employer Clearinghouse registration must include:
- (i) Name, address, and telephone number;
- (ii) USDOT number, except if the registrant does not have a USDOT Number, it may be requested to provide other information to verify identity; and
- (iii) Name of the person(s) the employer authorizes to report information to or obtain information from the Clearinghouse and any additional information FMCSA needs to validate his or her identity.
- (2) Employers must verify the names of the person(s) authorized under paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section annually.
- (3) Identification of the C/TPA or other service agent used to comply with the requirements of this part, if applicable, and authorization for the C/TPA to query or report information to the Clearinghouse. Employers must update any changes to this information within 10 days.
Running Required Queries
The employer will need to purchase a query package to be able to run the required queries. The purchase of a query package can only be done after the employer is registered with the Clearinghouse. Only employers can purchase the queries and the cost is currently $1.25 each. All new drivers must be checked with a query and all drivers must be checked with an annual query.
Working With A Team
An employer can invite assistants via email to perform some functions in the Clearinghouse. This invitation can only be sent through the Clearinghouse after the employer has registered. This allows multiple people on your team to work in the Clearinghouse.
Designating A C/TPA
An employer does have the option of designating a C/TPA to perform these duties for them. Designation of a C/TPA can only be done after the employer has registered with the Clearinghouse.
At Clearinghouse Services we can provide all necessary compliance tasks to meet the obligations mandated by the new Clearinghouse rules. For more information on the services we offer please visit our Employer Membership page.
