Reminder: The FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse will enter a new enforcement phase on November 18, requiring state driver licensing agencies (SDLAs) like the Texas Department of Public Safety to revoke CDLs or CLPs for any drivers listed as "prohibited" due to drug or alcohol violations. Here’s what employers need to know:
• SDLAs’ Role: SDLAs will now:
• Deny CDL/CLP transactions for drivers with unresolved Clearinghouse violations.
• Remove CDL/CLP privileges if drivers are flagged by the FMCSA as “prohibited.”
• Restore privileges only when drivers complete the required return-to-duty (RTD) process.
• Carrier Compliance: This rule does not change employer obligations but strengthens enforcement by ensuring prohibited drivers lose CDL privileges, giving employers more assurance that ineligible drivers won’t operate commercial vehicles.
• Clearinghouse Background: Since 2020, Clearinghouse has tracked drug and alcohol violations, requiring drivers with violations to undergo RTD evaluations and tests. This new phase ensures that state and federal systems work together to keep roads safer.
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