How often do I have to query the Clearinghouse?

A full query before hiring each CDL driver, and a limited query at least once every year for every CDL driver you employ.

Do owner-operators need the Clearinghouse?

Yes. An owner-operator who employs themselves must designate a consortium/third-party administrator to report violations, and must query their own record.

How long does a violation stay in the Clearinghouse?

Five years from the date of the violation, or until the driver completes the return-to-duty process and follow-up testing, whichever is later.

FMCSA Clearinghouse: Queries, Consent and Return-to-Duty Explained

FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

The Clearinghouse is FMCSA's online database of CDL drivers' drug and alcohol program violations. Employers of CDL drivers must query it before hiring and at least once a year, and drivers with a violation cannot drive a CMV until they finish the return-to-duty process.

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Who has to register

Employers of CDL or CLP drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles, including owner-operators who employ themselves
Drivers, when an employer needs their electronic consent for a full query
Consortia/third-party administrators and substance abuse professionals (SAPs) who report on behalf of employers
Medical review officers who report verified positive results

The two query types

If a limited query shows that information exists, you must run a full query within 24 hours, with the driver's electronic consent, or remove the driver from safety-sensitive work.

Query	When	Consent
Full query	Before a driver performs any safety-sensitive function for you (pre-employment)	Driver gives electronic consent inside the Clearinghouse
Limited query	At least once a year for every CDL driver you employ	General written consent, which can cover more than one year

Return-to-duty after a violation

A driver with a violation is prohibited from safety-sensitive functions until they complete the return-to-duty process: an evaluation by a substance abuse professional, the recommended education or treatment, a negative return-to-duty test, and a follow-up testing plan. Since November 2024, state licensing agencies also remove the CDL privileges of drivers in prohibited status.

MyDotCheck is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of the U.S. Department of Transportation or FMCSA. Data comes from public FMCSA datasets and may lag official records by a day or more. Government filings can be made directly with FMCSA at no charge.