What is the CDL Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is an online database that tracks violations of the U.S. Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing program for commercial driver license or commercial learner permit holders.
How can I get disqualified in the clearinghouse?
A driver will be disqualified from operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) if the Clearinghouse reports a “Prohibited" status for that driver.
A prohibited status occurs when a driver has any of the following violations reported to the Clearinghouse under 49 CFR Part 382:
- A positive drug test
- An alcohol test with a concentration of 0.04 or greater
- A refusal to submit to a drug or alcohol test
- Actual knowledge of drug or alcohol use in violation of FMCSA regulations
When a driver is listed in a prohibited status, they are not permitted to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
The Clearinghouse electronically notifies the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles when a driver's status changes. Once notified, NCDMV is required to disqualify the CDL holder for a minimum of 30 days and until the driver successfully completes the required return-to-duty process.
To regain eligibility to operate a CMV, the driver must:
- Be evaluated by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)
- Successfully complete any education or treatment determined by the SAP
- Complete a Return-to-Duty drug or alcohol test with a negative result
- Ensure the negative Return-to-Duty test result is reported to the Clearinghouse
Only after these requirements are completed and the Clearinghouse status is updated may the driver be eligible to operate a commercial motor vehicle again.
How can I return to duty?
The return to duty process is a series of steps drivers in a prohibited status must complete to regain their commercial driving privileges. This includes:
- Meeting with a U.S. Department of Transportation qualified substance abuse professional for an evaluation
- Completing the educational and/or treatment programs recommended by the substance abuse professional
- Substance abuse professional reevaluation and establishing a follow-up testing plan
- Successful completion of the return to duty drug and alcohol test
Will I need a substance abuse professional?
A substance abuse professional is an individual certified by U.S. Department of Transportation to oversee a commercial driver’s progression through the return to duty process.
If you violate the FMCSA's drug and alcohol policies, your employer is expected to provide you with a list of substance abuse professionals. You have the option to choose from this list or find your own substance abuse professional.
You must log into your clearinghouse account and designate which substance abuse professional you will be using. The substance abuse professional will then begin their evaluation to determine what programs are necessary for you to regain commercial driving privileges.
What else do I need to know?
You will not have the option to reinstate your commercial driver license or commercial learner permit again until the return to duty process is completed.
You can return to NCDMV to reinstate your commercial driver license and or commercial learner permit.
No documentation will need to be submitted to the NCDMV at any point in the process. Everything is handled through the clearinghouse.
Yes, but only when your status is initially put into a prohibited status. All subsequent updates will be provided through your clearinghouse account.
NCDMV will be automatically notified by the clearinghouse. No action is needed on your part.
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