Blog

Clearinghouse query plans are available for purchase in fall 2019

DOT regulations that pertain to truck driver drug testing as a condition of employment with a new employer will not change when the new CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse goes live on January 4, 2020.

While drivers, employers and agencies will each have specific responsibilities for the new national database, truck driver drug testing will remain the responsibility of the employer or owner-operator.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires employers to obtain a negative drug test result for an applicant before permitting them to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Wisconsin Drug Testing Consortium(WDTC) is an accredited C/TPA (Consortium/Third Party Administrator) that can fulfill this requirement.

Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query plans are available in bundles

All employers of CDL drivers must purchase a query plan in the Clearinghouse for information on current and prospective employees to verify they are not prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions due to an unresolved drug and alcohol program violation, according to the FMCSA website. This regulation goes into effect January 6, 2020 and registration is now open.

The FMCSA will charge a $1.25 flat per-query rate, with bundled plans available to meet your business needs. Queries never expire, and you may purchase additional query plans as needed. Employers are required to query the Clearinghouse as part of every pre-employment driver investigation, and at least once per year for every driver they employ. All queries require driver consent.

Registered employers can log into their Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse accounts to purchase query plans beginning this fall, even though the Clearinghouse does not go live until January 4, 2020. Query plans may only be purchased from the FMCSA Clearinghouse.

In addition, employers must purchase a query plan to ensure their designated C/TPA can conduct queries on their behalf. C/TPAs cannot purchase query plans on their own. Owner-operators must work with a C/TPA to manage their drug and alcohol testing program.

Employers and drivers should not unsubscribe from emails pertaining to DOT regulations or the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse is an important change in truck driver drug testing procedures.

About Wisconsin Drug Testing Consortium

Wisconsin Drug Testing Consortium is an accredited, Certified Third Party Administrator (C-TPA), and specializes in consortium management; a variety of drug testing methods, including urine, hair and fingernails; post-accident testing; pre-employment drug tests; criminal background checks; supervisor training programs to keep employees compliant with DOT regulations; pre-employment DOT physicals; and paternity DNA testing. Headquartered in Green Bay, WDTC also has offices in Oshkosh, Appleton, Fond du Lac and Madison, Wisconsin. Please call Wisconsin Drug Testing (920-393-4168) with any questions.

tags: drug test for cdl permit, dot drug test