The Clearinghouse is Now Able to Verify CDL Information

On March 5th through March 9th, the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse experienced connectivity issues that prevented the system from verifying driver commercial driver’s license (CDL) information. Certain functions, including the reporting of violations, were temporarily deactivated.

The issue has been resolved and the Clearinghouse is now able to verify CDL information. Medical review officers (MROs) must now report any violations that were verified on or after March 5th, and continue reporting new violations within two business days, as required by § 382.705(a).

REMINDERS FOR MROS

Reporting to the Clearinghouse: MRO Dos and Don’ts

DO Enter Driver CDL Information Correctly

While the Clearinghouse will record violations that are not tied to a driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL), MROs are asked to make every effort to verify the CDL information. If the driver’s CDL number has special characters (such as spaces or dashes), try entering the CDL number with or without these characters, as requirements vary by State.

When you receive the “This driver information has been verified” message, be sure to confirm you have entered the CDL of the correct driver.

If, after multiple attempts using the tips above, you are not able to verify the driver CDL information, you may proceed with reporting the violation information. FMCSA will reconcile the violation at a later date.

Note: If no CDL information is included on the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (CCF), per guidance issued by the USDOT, an MRO should contact the driver, driver’s employer, or designated employer representative to obtain it.

DO Delete Incorrectly Entered Violations

If, after submitting a violation, you discover that you made an error in entering the CDL information, you must delete the violation and re-enter it using the correct CDL information. This will help ensure that the Clearinghouse provides employers with the information they need to make important decisions about which drivers to place in safety-sensitive functions, and which to remove.

To delete a violation, find the violation in your Violation History page and click on the View Violation Details button. On the Violation Details page, click Delete Violation (in the top right corner of the screen).

DO Only Report Required Information

You are required to report to the Clearinghouse only positive results of FMCSA-required tests, as detailed in § 382.705(a). (FMCSA should be indicated on CCF.)

DON’T Report the Following

Do not report to the Clearinghouse results of tests that are not required by FMCSA regulations.

Do not report dilute results that did not test positive for a controlled substance.

Do not report negative test results. The only negative test result reported to the Clearinghouse is a negative return-to-duty (RTD) result, which is reported by the employer or their designated consortium/third-party administrator (C/TPA) in accordance with §§ 382.705(b)(1)(ii) or (b)(6). If the employer receives a negative-dilute RTD result from the MRO, the employer or C/TPA would report it to the Clearinghouse as a negative RTD result.

DO Follow Required Time Frames

MROs must report results within two business days of making a determination or verification of a DOT-required drug test. Any changes to the results report of a verified drug test must be reported to the Clearinghouse within one business day of making the changes.

For step-by-step instructions on reporting violations in the Clearinghouse, see the How to Report a Violation (MROs) Job Aid.

More background information on how MROs are required to use the Clearinghouse is available in the previously-recorded Q&A webinar—click on the link below to watch this recording.

Watch the MRO and SAP Q&A Webinar

Do You Subscribe to ODAPC Updates?

Per § 40.121(b)(3), an MRO must subscribe to receive email updates from the USDOT Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC). Subscribing will help you keep current on any changes to DOT MRO Guidelines. If you are not receiving these updates subscribe today.

Visit the Enhanced Clearinghouse Learning Center

In January, the Clearinghouse Learning Center was updated with additional job aids and instructional resources. Select “MROs” to access information tailored to your role.

Visit the Learning Center →

Email sent: 3/10/2020