Frequently Asked Questions

FMCSA

What is the FMCSA Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse?

The Clearinghouse is a secure online database that gives employers, the (FMCSA), State

Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs), and State law enforcement personnel real-time information about commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders’ drug and alcohol program violations.  An act of Congress directed the Secretary of Transportation to establish the Clearinghouse.

• Employers are required to query the Clearinghouse for current and prospective employees’ drug and alcohol violations before permitting those employees to operate a CMV on public roads.

• Employers are required to annually query the Clearinghouse for each driver they currently employ.

• The Clearinghouse offers two types of queries to employers: a full or a partial.  The full query requires the driver’s specific consent to release the information in the Clearinghouse to the requesting party and it covers all the records that the Clearinghouse contains.  A limited query allows an employer to determine if any information about an individual driver exists in the clearinghouse but does not provide for the release of any specific violation information.

FMCSA Portal Link.

https://portal.fmcsa.dot.gov/login

Clearinghouse Link.

https://Clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/Register

FMCSA CLEARINGHOUSE REGISTRATION FOR EMPLOYER
FMCSA CLEARINGHOUSE REGISTRATION FOR THE DRIVER

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Are appointments required? 
2. No, Walk-ins are acceptable between the hours of 9am and 2pm, Monday thru Friday.  We are also available for appointments 24/7 to help facilitate a more convenient time frame for your test.  We have a cozy waiting area with a coffee bar and water to make any wait time you may encounter more comfortable.

1. What should I bring with me? 
2. Driver’s License or government issued ID with picture.  Minors will need to bring their guardian with them. 

3. What happens if I can’t pee when I arrive for test?
4. Not a problem, as mentioned above we have a comfortable waiting area with coffee or water available at no charge.

4. How long does it take to get my test results?
5. It depends on which test you take.  If you are taking an Instant test, results are available within 5 minutes.  If your test requires that it be sent to a lab, results can vary from 1 to 3 business days from the time that it’s delivered to the lab and 1 to 3 days longer if it needs confirmation testing.  Confirmation testing is done when there is a positive result.

5. Do I need to bring a list of my prescriptions?
6. If your test is sent to lab and any of your prescriptions have a positive result you will be contacted by a Medical Review Officer to review a list of your prescriptions and they will change your result from a positive to a negative if you have a legitimate prescription.  Note:  A medical marijuana card is not a legitimate prescription on a federal level.

6. Do you take Insurance?
7. You might check with your Insurer to see if they reimburse for drug testing treatment.  I seriously doubt they do but it’s worth the ask.

7. As an individual can I request my own testing.
8. Of course.  Many people request individual testing for a variety of reasons. 

8. When I take a test who has access to the results:
9. Only you, or you may specify or request that a particular agency or attorney receive your results directly from our office.

For any questions you may have please give our office a call and we’ll be happy to answer them for you.   

CALL (870) 457-5900