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Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse Final Rule

The long-awaited rule to establish a national drug and alcohol clearinghouse for commercial truck and bus drivers will go into effect on January 4, 2017. The purpose of the clearinghouse is to serve as nerve central for FMCSA drug and alcohol violations of CDL  olders. No longer will a carrier be uninformed of a driver’s drug and alcohol history.

Once in place, motor carriers will be required to consult the database for violation information on their current and prospective drivers. Trucking companies and Medical Review Officers will also have to report drug and alcohol testing program violations. Motor carriers will be required to search the database annually on current and prospective employees, however, drivers must grant their consent.

The annual and pre-employment queries will reduce drug users in commercial vehicles, making our national highways safer. The FMCSA estimates annual net benefits at an estimated $42 million due to expected reductions in crashes.

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