Are you currently barred from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) due to a violation of drug and alcohol regulations? You are in the prohibited status in the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
To get back on the road and eliminate you from the prohibited status follow the return-to-duty process outlined below.
A driver who has violated drug and alcohol regulations is prohibited from engaging in safety-sensitive functions, including operating CMVs, for any employer regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) until the return-to-duty process is finalized.
By November 18, 2024, new federal regulations will stipulate that drivers with a “prohibited” status in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse will forfeit or be denied their state-issued commercial driving privileges.
What steps must be taken to complete the return-to-duty process and regain a “not prohibited” status?
The return-to-duty process is governed by 49 CFR part 40, subpart O. Below is a summary of the necessary steps:
- Choose a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).
- Your employer must provide you with a list of DOT-qualified SAPs. You should select your SAP based on your own evaluation.
- Your chosen SAP will assess your situation and recommend appropriate education or treatment.
- The SAP will determine whether you have successfully completed the required education or treatment, thus qualifying you for the return-to-duty test.
- Undergo the return-to-duty test.
Your employer must initiate this process; only DOT-regulated employers can request the return-to-duty test, not the employee. If you are an owner-operator, your designated consortium or third-party administrator (C/TPA) must arrange for this test.
If you are not currently driving or are unemployed, there is a procedure for taking the return-to-duty test to remove your name from the prohibited list and restore your CDL license if it has been downgraded. Our preferred C/TPA can assist you with this process; please call 866-843-4545. Additionally, refer to: Return to Duty Testing for Individual Unemployed Drivers Who Have Completed the SAP Process: Getting Back to Work.
Once your status in the Clearinghouse is updated to “not prohibited,” you will be eligible to resume safety-sensitive functions.
Driver assistance services are available from ClearinghouseServices.com
ClearinghouseServices.com is a private company not affiliated with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) or the Federal Motor Carrier 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. Contact the FMCSA Clearinghouse Team directly – Call 844-955-0207
