With Monday, January 6, 2020 being the first day of the new FMCSA Clearinghouse requirements, many users have experienced delays, time outs and crashes on the FMCSA web site – https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/
Some users have been successful, and some were not. The FMCSA Portal website also has experienced delays and timeouts over the past five days. (https://portal.fmcsa.dot.gov/login)
Some users have had success in off hours such as early morning or later in the evening.
The FMCSA has issued the following notice:
Notice: If you are an employer currently experiencing technical difficulties accessing the Clearinghouse and are unable to conduct required pre-employment queries, you may hire a driver using solely the procedures set forth in 49 CFR 391.23(e). Once FMCSA has determined and announced that users are able to access the Clearinghouse, pre-employment queries must also be conducted as required by section 382.701(a).
This means that you can hire drivers as you have in the past until such time as the Clearinghouse website issues have been corrected. Previous employer checks using the paper process required, but you can put the driver to work pending the previous employer response.
If you still have not registered in the Clearinghouse, continue to attempt to register. Best times right now would be very early in the morning or later in the evening.
ClearinghouseServices.com is available to help employers and drivers with their Clearinghouse responsibilities.
ClearinghouseServices.com is a private company not affiliated with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) or the Federal Motor Carrie Safety Administration (FMCSA). It is our goal to assist employers, CDL drivers and Service Agents with their responsibilities mandated by the FMCSA Clearinghouse rule also known as the Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse – 49 CFR Part 382, Subpart G.
