The Clearinghouse is a secure online database created by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) within the United States government. It provides permitted individual’s or companies access to real-time information about drug and alcohol program violations. Therefore, a fmcsa clearinghouse requires authorized users to register to the system. Those who should partake in the fmcsa clearinghouse registration include drivers that hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learners permit, as well as employers of these drivers.
Timing of FMCSA Clearinghouse Registration
A potential driver who registers with a clearinghouse will go through a quicker hiring process. This is because employers are required to review your driving history and see if you have any violation on your license.
Additionally, registering will help you stay dot compliant and avoid making any violations because of the required drug and alcohol testing by the fmcsa.
You must also consider that the clearinghouse is an online database that shows real time information. If an employer was to request to view your data and you are not registered online it may take you longer time to get back to them through mailing services.
In most cases, this is a time sensitive process. You will only have 24 hours to reply to the request or you may potentially risk losing your job opportunity.
Records in Clearinghouse FMCSA DOT Register
Records are important for their content. They provide evidence of communication and decisions that were made in the past. They also show the actions and history of companies and people.
The clearinghouse fmcsa dot register provides information that is vital for both employers and employees.
When registering, drivers can only access their own information and not of other drivers.
Their database can present information such as when you took a drug test, what type of test was taken, and what results you received.
It also provides information on tests or violations you have made in the past with other employers or jobs.
Consent Form
Privacy is a very important factor to consider as information is sensitive in nature and often can influence employment.
Now lets say you applied to work for a trucking company and the trucking company gets back to you saying they are interested in hiring you. Before officially hiring you they will ask you to fill out a consent form which provides the company authorization to conduct a query through the drug and alcohol clearinghouse.
Depending upon your situation, consent forms can be complicated or straightforward. Generally, the consent form authorizes the permission of a specific action.
They contain some form of acknowledgment, authorization, and release of information about the individual to the employers or C/TPA.
If you are registered to a Clearinghouse, the consent request notification will be sent via the preferred contact method you selected in the system, either email or U.S. Mail.
If you are not registered with a Clearinghouse program, the consent form or request will be sent as a paper letter via U.S. Mail to the address of record associated with your commercial driver’s license (CDL).
As before mentioned, going with the U.S. Mail option is slower and can impact your eligibility to perform safety-sensitive functions.
Depending on your selection, you will be prompted to either confirm your consent, or confirm your refusal to consent.
Query
As part of the pre-employment screening, employers must determine if the Clearinghouse contains any records for the queried driver.
Depending on the situation, there are two types of queries that employers will make; limited query and full query.
A limited queries lets employers to see if the clearinghouse record shows any information about unresolved and resolved drug and alcohol violations. What it does not show is the specific detailed violation information in the driver’s record. A limited query is usually made for annual checks on currently employed drivers.
Meanwhile, a fully query is usually made as part of the pre-employment screening process. A full query allow your potential employer to see the in-depth details about any drug or alcohol program violations in the driver’s record.
Employers will always be notified if there is an update to your driver’s record 30 days after making the original pre-employment query. The employer must send another consent request to view the information that was updated.
Safety After DOT Clearinghouse Registration
The aftermath of the dot clearinghouse registration process is that it makes it more difficult for dishonest drivers to conceal drug and alcohol violations from employers.
In accordance to the clearinghouse-II final rule, annual verification as well as random drug tests can by request by the system to ensure drivers are continuing safe practices.
Following safety regulations placed by the fmcsa or dot is very important because it provides a safe environment on the road.
Road safety is everybody’s responsibility from pedestrians to passenger vehicle drivers, bus drivers, and truck drivers. Proper lifestyle, training, and book keeping can ensure that commercial driving employees are fit to do their job safely and efficiently.
It’s also important to stay compliant with the fmsca because employers whose business has violated FMCSA Clearinghouse guidelines can face criminal and civil penalties up to $1,000 for every occurrence of the offense.
This entire process may seem complicated for most people, however, New Era Drug Testing makes the FMCSA Clearinghouse registration easy to follow and understand. New Era Drug Testing is a DOT drug testing company that provides solutions and programs for employers and drivers who want to be fmcsa compliant. Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions regarding our services.