The FMCSA published the final rule on their Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse this week which the DOT says will make drivers and everyone else on the roads safer. The database is intended to have a list of every drug and alcohol related violation for every current CDL driver.
Mandated in 2012 by the MAP-21 funding bill, the clearinghouse is designed to give carriers a central repository containing the records of all drug and alcohol violations by CDL holders. Carriers will be required to check the clearinghouse when hiring new drivers, but it also requires that carriers report violations by their drivers to the FMCSA so that the data can be added.
This is intended to prevent drivers who have been fired for drug or alcohol-related offenses from being able to lie in an interview with a new carrier and get a job right away.
The ATA published a statement praising the rule for closing a loophole which enabled drivers with drug or alcohol problems to get jobs at a new carrier without disclosing their past violations.
Carriers are required to report drivers any time they 1) test positive for drugs or alcohol 2) refuse drug or alcohol testing or 3) undergo the return-to-duty drug and alcohol rehabilitation process.
The rule does not prevent carriers from hiring drivers with violations that have been appropriately addressed and disclosed.
In addition to requiring checks for all new drivers, once the clearinghouse is live, the rule also mandates that carriers check the names of all of their current drivers against the database. This means that currently employed drivers who have past unaddressed violations may find themselves explaining to an upset carrier why they didn’t say anything about previous violations during the hiring process.
Drivers will be able to check their own records with the clearinghouse at no cost.
“This is a major safety win for the general public and the entire commercial motor vehicle industry,” said Scott Darling, FMCSA Administrator. “Drivers who test positive for drugs or alcohol will no longer be able to conceal those test results from employers and continue to drive while posing a safety risk to the driving public.”
Source: fmcsa, gobytrucknews, truckinginfo
Steven says
How many more rules and data based will it take for the government and the ATA to “safety” the trucking industry out of buissnes? I have never had a drug or alcohol problem but with all the other rules now it’s no longer worth it for me to keep a cdl.
old man says
Be aware of false positives by cheap hair tests.
John says
Hair test is not a dot reg test. Unusable test.
Deno says
What about the general public what’s good for one is good for all test every one if you want safer roads
Darrell Fletcher says
Yes what about all the other Motor vehicles on the road they should be tested just as well
Gordon A says
It must be something in the water or that 4 martini these dreamers drink every day. DOT, FMCSA and ATA must think that if they put the word safety in the reasoning or the title it is a good idea. Unfortunately many swallow it hook line and sinker because it sounds good. Explain how the ones that are not tested (4 wheeler s) that they too will be safer? They are the worst of the worst and cause a majority of the accidents between car and Semi. Professional drivers are waiting for your answer. I understand why they can’t publish or admit the truth . It will cost them their job and what little credibility they might have.very little.
How about drug testing new drivers between the ages of 16 and 30 when applying for a license. that would get a lot off the road right from the start. Then the truckers would be safer on the highway. Accidents reduced by at least 40%. Just a guess, but it would reduce them.
Shannon says
Maybe the DOT and the FMCSA need drug tested?
Carl says
More than two hundred and nine million Americans are on prescription drugs of all ages and just because someone may tested positive for some drug does’nt make them a bad driver so really two out of three Americans are on big pharma drugs as long as it’s big pharma drugs it’s cool with the professional talkers aka politicians I mean after all Rockerffeller said competition is sin