The FMCSA Clearinghouse purpose is to provide a place where any Drug or Alcohol violations will be reported and record will be kept. This was done to ensure employers have a reliable source to obtain this information. Previously, this information was obtained from the previous employers; however, not all requests were being filled out and returned to the prospective employers. This does not replace the need for driving records. This annual query is in addition to the annual driving record report. The annual query is for commercial driver license holders who are included in the driver pool for random testing.
Driver registration is only needed to be completed by drivers if:
A Limited Query meets the requirements for the annual query for each Commercial Vehicle driver. The only time a Full Query is needed is if there are any violations on the drivers record or you are hiring a new driver. The cost for a query is the same for either a full or limited query.
Always remember you MUST have the driver’s written consent to obtain a query. Part of the driver’s registration process involves the drivers filling out and electronically signing a consent form. The following link is for a sample consent form provided by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Association for current drivers, https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/Resource/Index/Sample-Limited-Consent-Form .
The FMCSA has put together a very good FAQ page, https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/FAQ , if you have any other questions. This FAQ page is sorted for drivers and employers to help to speed up your search for answers.
Driver registration is only needed to be completed by drivers if:
- They are looking for new employment where they would be using their commercial license. Drivers who are already with an employer and have no intentions of leaving are not required to register. If a driver is not registered only a Limited query can be obtained for that driver.
- There are any drug or alcohol violations, whether they are previously known or found on the Limited Query. This allows the driver the ability to provide proof that the violation has been resolved. The employer will then be able to get a Full Query as follow-up that will show violations as resolved or unresolved.
A Limited Query meets the requirements for the annual query for each Commercial Vehicle driver. The only time a Full Query is needed is if there are any violations on the drivers record or you are hiring a new driver. The cost for a query is the same for either a full or limited query.
Always remember you MUST have the driver’s written consent to obtain a query. Part of the driver’s registration process involves the drivers filling out and electronically signing a consent form. The following link is for a sample consent form provided by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Association for current drivers, https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/Resource/Index/Sample-Limited-Consent-Form .
The FMCSA has put together a very good FAQ page, https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/FAQ , if you have any other questions. This FAQ page is sorted for drivers and employers to help to speed up your search for answers.
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