FMCSA Clearinghouse FAQs

Questions and Answers

Understanding the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

If you are a DOT-regulated safety sensitive worker, going through the return-to-duty process, the Clearinghouse can feel confusing. These answers cover the questions we hear most often. They are written in plain language to help you understand how the process works and what to expect.

1.  What is the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse?

It is a secure federal database run by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It holds records of DOT drug and alcohol program violations for commercial drivers. Employers, drivers, Substance Abuse Professionals, and Medical Review Officers each use it for specific purposes. Its main job is to let employers see, in real time, whether a driver is allowed to perform safety-sensitive work.

1.  Who has a Clearinghouse record?

The Clearinghouse covers holders of a commercial driver license (CDL) or commercial learner permit (CLP) who operate commercial motor vehicles. A record can exist for a driver even if that driver has never registered in the system. The Clearinghouse is specific to FMCSA-regulated commercial drivers.

1.  What puts a driver in “prohibited” status?

A verified positive DOT drug test, an alcohol test of 0.04 or higher, a refusal to test, or certain admissions will place a driver in prohibited status. While prohibited, the driver cannot legally perform safety-sensitive functions, which for a CDL holder means they cannot drive a commercial motor vehicle.

1.  Does prohibited status affect my actual license now?

Yes. Since November 2024, state driver licensing agencies are required to check the Clearinghouse and act on a prohibited status. A prohibited driver can have their CDL downgraded by the state until the return-to-duty process is complete. In short, a violation now affects the license itself, not only the job.

1.  Is the Clearinghouse free, and do I have to register?

Registration is free at clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov. A violation can be recorded even if a driver has not registered, but drivers should register so they can view their own record, respond to consent requests, and designate a SAP. Beginning April 27, 2026, certain new registrations require a secure identity verification step.

1.  How do I check my own Clearinghouse record?

Register as a driver and run a query on yourself. It is a good habit to check your record periodically, and especially before you begin the return-to-duty process, so there are no surprises.

1.  What is the return-to-duty (RTD) process in plain terms?

It is the only legal path back to safety-sensitive work after a violation. In short: you are evaluated by a DOT-qualified SAP, you complete the education or treatment the SAP recommends, you return to the SAP for a follow-up evaluation, and then you take a return-to-duty test that is directly observed and comes back negative. After that, you follow a required follow-up testing plan.

1.  What is the SAP’s role in the Clearinghouse?

The SAP reports two dates: the date of your initial SAP evaluation, and the date the SAP determines you have successfully complied and are eligible for return-to-duty testing. The SAP does not upload your treatment plan or evaluation reports into the Clearinghouse, and the SAP cannot view your violation details there. The plan and reports go to your employer outside the Clearinghouse.

1.  How does my status change from prohibited back to not prohibited?

After you pass the return-to-duty test, your employer or a consortium/third-party administrator reports that negative result to the Clearinghouse. That report is what moves you out of prohibited status. The SAP’s eligibility entry alone does not change your status. Completing the full follow-up testing plan is also reported once it is finished.

1.  What if I do not have an employer to send me for the RTD test?

A driver without a current or prospective employer can register in the Clearinghouse as an owner-operator and designate a consortium/third-party administrator to manage the testing and the required reporting.

1.  Does changing jobs erase a violation?

No. The Clearinghouse is a federal record that follows the driver. Any current or future employer who queries you will see an unresolved violation, and they cannot allow you to drive until you complete the return-to-duty process. Switching employers does not remove or hide a violation.

1.  How long does a violation stay on my record?

A violation remains for five years from the date it was determined, or until you complete the return-to-duty process and follow-up testing plan, whichever is later. If the process is never completed, the violation stays on the record indefinitely. There is no shortcut and no expiration for an unresolved violation.

1.  What are annual queries?

Employers must check the Clearinghouse at least once a year for every CDL driver they employ, and again before hiring a new driver. A full query requires the driver’s consent. This is how employers confirm a driver is not in prohibited status.

1.  Where can I get official, up-to-date information?

The official source is the FMCSA Clearinghouse at clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov. For questions about your specific situation, speak with your SAP or your employer’s designated representative.

Please note: This page is for general education and is not legal advice. Federal rules can change. Always confirm details for your situation at clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov or with your Substance Abuse Professional.