The federal government is taking steps to improve the data base used to track truckers who have had alcohol or drug-related violations and whether the are able to return to driving.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration today announced improvements to itss Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse online database.
New identity verification requirements for certain clearinghouse users will strengthen fraud prevention, improve record accuracy, and enhance accountability for over 6 million users in the database.
“Safety is non-negotiable at FMCSA, and that means ensuring the systems we rely on are secure, accurate, and trustworthy,” said FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs. “By strengthening identity verification, we are closing gaps that could be exploited by bad actors, protecting the integrity of the data, and reinforcing confidence across the entire commercial driver safety industry.”
Medical review officers, substance abuse professionals, third-party administrators, and employers will be required to take additional steps to verify their identities within the database.
Employers of CDL drivers must query the clearinghouse to verify that a current or prospective driver is not prohibited from operating CMVs or performing other safety-sensitive functions due to an unresolved drug and alcohol program violation.
FMCSA's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse online database allows employers, law enforcement, and state agencies to quickly identify commercial vehicle drivers who are prohibited from driving due to drug and alcohol violations.
The new process will be completed using IDEMIA, a company specializing in secure identity verification and used by the Department of Homeland Security at airports across the country. Future phases will extend the new requirements to most other users, though commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders are already verified through state systems.
Drivers can create personal accounts within the clearinghouse by verifying their CDL information. With an account, drivers can:.
- Provide electronic consent to release detailed drug and/or alcohol violation information in your Clearinghouse record to a current or prospective employer (when an employer conducts a full query)
- Review drug and alcohol program violations, if any, in your own Clearinghouse record and initiate the process to revise or remove incorrectly entered information
- Identify a substance abuse professional (SAP) to report on returnto-duty (RTD) activities, if you have an unresolved drug and alcohol program violation in your clearinghouse record
