FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: A Plain-English Employer Guide

What Is the Clearinghouse?

The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is a secure federal database that tracks drug and alcohol program violations for CDL holders. It was mandated under 49 CFR Part 382 Subpart G and went live on January 6, 2020. Every employer of CDL drivers must be registered and actively using it.

Two Types of Queries

There are two query types, and knowing which to use — and when — is critical for compliance:

Full Query (Pre-Employment)

A full query is required before a driver's first day in a safety-sensitive function. It reveals the driver's complete violation history in the Clearinghouse, including any unresolved violations and RTD status. The driver must provide electronic consent before you run it.

Limited Query (Annual)

A limited query must be run at least once every 12 months for every driver in your employ. It tells you only whether the driver has a violation on file — not the details. If a limited query returns a "record found," you must then run a full query to see the specifics.

The Consent Requirement

Drivers must electronically authorize each query through the Clearinghouse. Employers cannot run a query without it. At Doctors Place, we handle the entire consent workflow for you — our portal sends the employee a secure authorization link by email. Once they sign, the query fee is charged to your account and we process the request.

What Happens When There's a Violation?

If a full query reveals an unresolved violation, federal regulations prohibit the driver from performing safety-sensitive functions until they complete the Return-to-Duty (RTD) process, which includes:

1. Evaluation by a DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)
2. Completion of any recommended education or treatment
3. A negative return-to-duty test
4. Enrollment in a follow-up testing plan (minimum 6 unannounced tests over 12 months)

Employers who allow a driver with an unresolved violation to operate a CMV face significant civil penalties — up to $16,000 per violation.

Record Keeping

You are required to keep documentation of every Clearinghouse query for 3 years. The portal retains all consent forms, query dates, and results in your employer dashboard.

Pricing Through the Portal

Full queries (pre-employment) are $25. Annual limited queries are $15. Fees are only charged once the employee completes the electronic consent and the query is processed — never upfront.