Updated DPS Information
FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
The following information is provided by Christie Hebert, Texas DPS School Bus Division:
FMSCA DRUG AND ALCOHOL CLEARINGHOUSE
Beginning January 6, 2020, all school districts and all CDL holders (includes school bus drivers and white fleet drivers that hold a CDL) will be required to register in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
The Clearinghouse is a secure online database that will give employers, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), state driver licensing agencies, and state law enforcement personnel real-time information about commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders’ drug and alcohol program violations.
The Clearinghouse will contain records of violation of drug and alcohol prohibitions in 49 CFR Part 382, Subpart B, including positive drug or alcohol test results and test refusals. When a driver completes the return-to-duty process and follow-up testing plan, this information will also be recorded in the Clearinghouse.
School districts will be required to run a query on all new hires that either have a CDL or will be applying for a CLP to get a CDL. School districts will also be required to run an annual query on all existing CDL holders.
In addition to the school districts registering for the Clearinghouse, all CDL holders need to register as well. CDL holders must give electronic consent to their employer(s) to run a query. CDL holders that have a second job driving a commercial motor vehicle that requires a CDL will also need to give that employer electronic consent to run a query as well. Please pass this information along to all drivers that hold a CDL so that they are aware of the Clearinghouse and registering.
The FAQ section of the Clearinghouse website has a lot of helpful information so please refer to that if you have questions.
IMPORTANT: Please be advised that this is a federal rule required by FMCSA. It is not a state rule and definitely not a rule that my office is requiring. Federal rules trump all state rules, so everyone must comply. There are no exemptions from the Clearinghouse.
Thank you,
Christie Hebert
Texas Department of Public Safety
Texas Highway Patrol Division
School Bus Transportation Program
(512) 424-7396