FMCSA Clearinghouse - 8,000 Violations in First Weeks

On Friday, February 21, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published initial data from the first weeks of its CDL Clearinghouse database. This database seeks to improve safety by preventing commercially licensed drivers who have violated FMCSA substance abuse rules from returning to the road without first being evaluated by a Substance Abuse Professional and receiving assistance, as required by FMCSA and DOT. This initial data release shows reporting of nearly 8,000 violations since the Clearinghouse's January 6 implementation – a violation rate of more than 1,000 per week. "We’ve seen encouraging results from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, but there’s still work to do to ensure we identify more drivers who should not be behind the wheel," commented FMCSA's Acting Administrator Jim Mullen.

The Clearinghouse rule requires participation from virtually all stakeholders in DOT drug use and alcohol misuse prevention efforts, from employers and CDL drivers (specifically those seeking new CMV employment), to C/TPAs, Medical Review Officers and Substance Abuse Professionals.

If you are covered by the Clearinghouse rule, Clearinghouse Navigator (www.clearinghousenavigator.com) can help you achieve quick and ongoing compliance with all requirements of this new safety program. Clearinghouse Navigator is a private eLearning resource center (not affiliated with FMCSA) that offers employers, vendors, and drivers access to comprehensive on-line Clearinghouse courses, database-specific forms and tools, and a large knowledge base that answers many questions stakeholders commonly have. With three subscription levels – Basic, Plus, and Premium (which includes live support from regulatory experts) – you can tailor your access to meet your needs and budget.

Don't hesitate to ensure your compliance with FMCSA's new Clearinghouse requirement – visit www.clearinghousenavigator.com to learn more and to subscribe.