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The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is a secure online database of drug and alcohol program violations by holders of a commercial driver's license (CDL) or commercial learner's permit (CLP). It lets employers and state licensing agencies see whether a driver is prohibited from driving because of an unresolved violation. The rules are in 49 CFR Part 382, subpart G.
Who registers
- Employers of CDL drivers, to run queries and report violations (49 CFR 382.711).
- C/TPAs that employers designate to query or report for them, and that owner-operators must designate.
- MROs and SAPs, to report verified results and return-to-duty progress.
- Drivers, to give consent for full queries, choose a SAP, and view their own records.
Queries employers must run
| Query | When | Type and consent |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-employment | Before a driver first performs safety-sensitive functions for you | Full query; the driver gives electronic consent in the Clearinghouse |
| Annual | At least once a year for every driver subject to testing | Limited query with the driver's general consent, which can cover more than one year |
| Follow-up | Within 24 hours if a limited query shows information exists | Full query; otherwise the driver must not perform safety-sensitive functions |
If a query shows a violation without a completed return-to-duty process, the driver must not perform safety-sensitive functions. Keep query records for 3 years; a valid registration meets this requirement (49 CFR 382.701).
Reporting
- MROs report verified positive, adulterated, or substituted drug results and MRO-determined refusals within 2 business days.
- Employers (or their C/TPA) report alcohol results of 0.04 or higher, other refusals, actual-knowledge violations, negative return-to-duty results, and completion of follow-up testing by the close of the third business day.
- SAPs report the initial assessment and when the driver is eligible for return-to-duty testing.
See §382.705 Reporting to the Clearinghouse for the details each report must include.
Return to duty
A driver with a violation stays in "prohibited" status until the SAP reports completion and the employer reports a negative return-to-duty test. The violation remains visible to employers until follow-up testing is complete and at least five years have passed. Since November 18, 2024, state licensing agencies must also remove the CDL or CLP privilege of a driver in prohibited status.
How Med-Stop helps
Med-Stop is not a C/TPA in the Clearinghouse: you cannot designate Med-Stop there, and Med-Stop does not run queries or report violations, return-to-duty results, or follow-up results for your company. Your company queries and reports in its own Clearinghouse account, or through a C/TPA it designates there.
- Test results, refusals, and violations recorded in the Med-Stop employer app give you the dates, results, and documents you need for your own reports.
- The employer app may still show Clearinghouse menus and employee Clearinghouse history from Med-Stop's former Clearinghouse service. They do not query or report for your company.
- Query plans are purchased from FMCSA on the Clearinghouse website.
Your company remains responsible for compliance. For questions about your Med-Stop records, contact Med-Stop Support.
Common questions
- What is the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse?
- Do employers have to query the Clearinghouse?
- What is the difference between a limited and full query?
- Does the driver need to give consent for a Clearinghouse query?
- Who must register with the Clearinghouse?
- What must an employer report to the Clearinghouse?
- What happens if a driver has a violation in the Clearinghouse?
- How long does a violation stay in the Clearinghouse?
- Can Med-Stop manage my Clearinghouse queries and reports?
Regulations
See 49 CFR Part 382 reference for sections 382.701 through 382.727, starting with §382.701 Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Official site: clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov.