FMCSA Clearinghouse Compliance

Keeping Employers and CDL Drivers Fully Compliant

The FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse is a federal database that tracks CDL driver drug and alcohol violations. All DOT‑regulated employers are required to use the Clearinghouse to ensure drivers are eligible to operate commercial motor vehicles.

Drug Test First makes this process simple, clear, and compliant.

🟦 Step 1 — Register Your Company

Go to: clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov

• Create or sign in to your Login.gov account

• Select Employer

• Enter company information

• Purchase a Query Plan (required by FMCSA)

🟩 Step 2 — Add Drug Test First as Your TPA

Inside your Clearinghouse account:

• Go to My Dashboard

• Select Designate TPA

• Search for Drug Test First

• Confirm your selection

This allows us to assist with queries and compliance.

🟧 Step 3 — Register Your Drivers

Drivers must register so they can approve Full Query consent.

• Driver creates Login.gov account

• Selects Driver

• Enters CDL information

• Approves employer consent requests

🟪 Step 4 — Run Pre‑Employment Queries

Before hiring any CDL driver:

• Log into the Clearinghouse

• Select Full Query

• Enter driver CDL info

• Send consent request

• Wait for driver approval

• Review results

Driver cannot be hired until the Full Query is complete.

🟨 Step 5 — Run Annual Queries

For every active CDL driver:

• Run a Limited Query once per year

• If a “hit” appears → run a Full Query

• Driver must approve consent for Full Query

🟥 Step 6 — Report Required Violations

Employers/motor carriers must report:

• Positive drug tests

• Alcohol violations

• Refusals to test

• Actual knowledge of use

• Return‑to‑duty progress (if applicable)

🟫 Step 7 — Begin Sending Drivers for Testing

Once your Clearinghouse setup is complete:

• Complete the Employer Account Setup Form

• Send drivers for pre‑employment, random, post‑accident, or reasonable suspicion testing

• Drug Test First handles the rest