FMCSA Clearinghouse can't verify my CDL. It' not in the database.

I’m having this issue right now and job on hold because of it. Has anyone figured it out?

 

Hello there, l have the same problem, today 08/31/2021, l have 3 weeks trying, did you fix the problem? If you did it... how you did it? Thank you...my email: jefe_076@hotmail.com

 

From an IT perspective, the transference of documentation from your state DOT to the FMCSA is a crapshoot process. I have been waiting 3 weeks and have spent about a total of 10 hours on the phone. I've been given the full run around, so I might as well relay the information I gathered from experience. When you first get your permit (process is dependent on the state, could be a test, or more requirements) you must proceed to get your medical DOT card which requires a physical examination. This isn't a simple one stop shop, this visit has a minimum of three purposes: a) to provide with a physical credential that certifies that the recipient is in good physical condition to operate a commercial vehicle. b) The information will eventually be transferred to the state upon completion of the CDL school, hours required, and the CDL test (but that is later in a sequential process). c) On the long form DOT medical examination, there is a section that addresses the FMCSA. On the first visit to the medical examiner, when a newly permitted CDL learner passes the physical, the medical staff SHOULD upload that data addressed to the FMCSA on that very day. This is done electronically through their network. Thus, when permitted, and granted the privilege from a medical perspective, the FMCSA SHOULD already have that data electronically in their subsystems ( I believe it may be called CDLis, but I could be wrong).

Now here is the tricky part, the permitted cdl learner goes through their span of regulated training (160 hours or more), weeks and months go by, and then they finally pass. The permitted CDL learner then proceeds to go to their local motor vehicle department (MVD) or department of motor vehicles (DMV), then submits the paperwork from the CDL test (which was given by CDL tester), an employee at the MDV/DMV should request the CDL permit, drivers license, and DOT medical card. Once they receive all the required information the CDL permittee, now has acquired a CDL (A/B/C), and this information should be submitted to the FMCSA/Clearinghouse. You have the long awaited credential, now you're ready for new employment opportunities? Wrong, once the CDL holder has the credential, the CDL holder is now subjected to Title 49 CFR 383.35 (b); in which the CDL holder must be cleared by the FMCSA/Clearinghouse in order to operate a commercial vehicle.

The updated credential (permit to license), the DOT medical card, and the CDL holders personally identifiable information (PII), must be paired together under the same electronic profiles on the state and federal level. Under these conditions (from what I have been told), the state now has a total of 10 business days (2-3 weeks) to send off the applicable information to the FMCSA/Clearinghouse. Should this transference of information fail to occur from the state of issuance and the FMCSA, then the CDL holder can establish communication with representatives of the FMCSA/Clearinghouse and submit their credential information via email in the FMCSA/Clearinghouse ticketing system; thereby validating the CDL by their own means. FMCSA/Clearinghouse has depreciating window of 10 business days to complete this task, but they will not proceed in their validation process until the state of issuance as expended their 10 business days. So lets do the math, there are 5 business days a week, the state process can take up to two weeks, and under unfortunate circumstances the extended FMCSA/Clearinghouse process can tack on an additional two weeks to simply validate a state issued credential that was already electronically logged when the permittee first started the process several weeks or months ago.

Larger companies avoid this legalese by skirting passed the FMCSA/Clearinghouse bureaucracy. Instead of having the new CDL holder drive independently, the new CDL holder drives with a "mentor" typically over-the-road for a varied duration of time. Therefore, the conditions are not much different from a CDL learner driving with a CDL instructor. For some companies, this time span can vary anywhere in between 2-6 weeks. Typically by this time the FMCSA/Clearinghouse is usually done with the paperwork circle jerk. This time period of mentor-ship, offers several benefits for companies. a) They sidestep the FMCSA/Clearinghouse lawfare. b) The company now has an established driver on the road with an assistant to expedite their shipments. c) The company financially benefits on the logistics end due to increased productivity from paired drivers. d) The company profits from the mentor-ship pair, due to the productivity almost equating to a Team Driver combination, while paying the CDL holder a "trainee's" wage (a few hundred bucks a week, as compared to team drivers that can net 85k/yr per driver). e) The company also benefits from savings on their insurance plans. f). There may be contractual incentives between the company and their clients as well to justify this cultural pipeline.

Now for the details:
The FMCSA has a series of internal compartments (a medical administrative office), as well as the Clearinghouse (a medical administrative office). The state MVD/DMV has their subsections and departments (one of which includes driver and medical information that is attached to the license). The CDL tester submits paperwork, and the medical examiner also has paperwork that is sent to the FMCSA (electronically). All parts considered, each step and department is responsible in order for the CDL holder to meet Title 49 CFR 383.35 (b). Even though we live in the information age, where everyday people have small palm sized computers in their pocket, and a Tesla sportscar is in outer space slowly drifting to Mars; the FMCSA/Clearinghouse (who already has some information on file) will validate your CDL whenever they get to it; whenever that is. We all know that with modern technology, it could be securely done in a single day, or shipped via certified mail to HQ within a week and processed by administrative staff, but rest assured, they'll get to it when they get to it. Good luck finding the bottleneck...

So, if you're like most people, who consume food and require shelter, and pay bills, you a have a handful of options. a) go on a ride for a while with a mentor, and save their company some money; Or you can go do something else for a while (just don't drive). Seek out work from a Temp Agency, go back to your old job, or ask people you know for money (whatever works for you). The FMCSA/Clearinghouse will get to it eventually, someday.



It used to not be like this, back in the day.

For more information on this phenomena please see the link below:
Federal bloat is at a 60-year high