Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Queries
The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse was created by the Secretary of Transportation, under the direct order of Congress, to improve roadway safety. This online database gives employers access to drug and alcohol violations incurred by individuals holding commercial driver’s licenses. Additionally, it tracks if a driver fails to inform their employers (as required by the DOT) of the indiscretions. The ultimate goal is for the database to inform employers and improve driver safety.
When Does an Employer Run a Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Query?
Only employees that 1) hold a commercial driver’s license or a commercial learner’s permit, and 2) must adhere to a drug and alcohol policy, require a Clearinghouse query. This includes drivers such as:
- Interstate and intrastate motor carriers
- Limousine drivers
- School bus drivers
- Waste management vehicle drivers
- Construction equipment operators
- Organizations that employ drivers that are subject to FMSCA drug and alcohol requirements
Employers are required to conduct a pre-employment and annual query for all drivers subject to the DOT drug and alcohol policy. The annual query is based on the hire date, not the calendar year.
Different Types of Queries
There are two main types of drug and alcohol Clearinghouse queries: limited and full. A full query is mandatory before hiring an employee. It shows if the driver has any violations. Additionally, it reports return-to-duty status after completing a SAP (Substance Abuse Professional) program post-violation. For the prospective employer to see the full report, the driver must create a Clearinghouse account and grant access to the file.
Employers must run a limited query on applicable drivers at least once a year. This query quickly shows if there is a record of a violation in the database for the driver. If the answer is yes, the employer runs a full query to get more information. Some limited queries still require driver consent. Many agencies choose to include consent in the pre-employment paperwork to check motor vehicle records, violations, and criminal records.
SAP Referral Services (SRS) Helps Drivers Find a SAP
If an employee commits a drug and/or alcohol policy violation, they will need to complete a return-to-duty program with a DOT-qualified SAP before they can get back to work. However, as an employer, maintaining your list of DOT qualified SAPs isn’t easy. You may never know if a SAP lets their DOT qualifications lapse.
Help your employees get easy access to the right Substance Abuse Professionals so they can clear their drug and alcohol Clearinghouse record quickly. At SAP Referral Services (SRS) we maintain a list of providers in over 3,000 locations. Plus, we guarantee that every provider on that list is DOT qualified at the time of your employee’s initial meeting. Contact us today for more information about our services.
SAP Referral Services (SRS) is the leading facilitator for mandated substance abuse evaluations. SRS maintains an extensive network of qualified providers in more than 3,000 locations nationwide for testing violations that originate from any of the DOT’s modes including FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, USCG and PHMSA, or a company’s internal drug and alcohol testing policy.