Thousands of CDL drivers to face sober reality of DOT testing violations

November 13, 2024

Approximately 179,000 drivers are due to lose their commercial driver’s license (CDL) as the Clearinghouse-II final rule is implemented beginning November 18, 2024.

The rule requires state driver’s licensing agencies (SDLAs) to remove the commercial driving privileges of anyone in a prohibited status in the CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

A prohibited status is placed on a driver’s Clearinghouse record as the result of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug or alcohol violation under 49 CFR Part 382. The driver remains in the status until the system receives record of the substance abuse professional (SAP) evaluations, successful education and/or treatment, and a negative return-to-duty test.

FMCSA’s instructions to SDLAs

SDLAs have been directed in Clearinghouse-II by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to take the following actions when a driver is found to be in a prohibited status in the Clearinghouse:

Deny CDL and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) issuance, renewal, upgrade, or transfer for any driver that has an unresolved violation (prohibited status) in the Clearinghouse.
Downgrade existing CDL and CLP holders while they are in prohibited status in the Clearinghouse.
Report the downgrade within 60 days of learning of the status.
Reinstate privileges after learning that the driver is no longer prohibited.

FMCSA’s regulations don’t dictate administrative processes for the SDLA to reinstate CDL privileges. Motor carriers and drivers should speak with their SDLA to learn how a driver should provide documentation to reclaim their license.

Publish Date

November 13, 2024

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Industry News

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