Protect Your CDL: Check Your Record

A former member of IBEW 1837 was repeatedly denied job opportunities because of a mistake in the federal Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. Although he had resolved a past violation, the employer responsible for updating the record never submitted the correction. As a result, the Clearinghouse continued to show an unresolved infraction. Every time a prospective employer ran a background check, it appeared the issue was still active—and he wasn’t hired. Once the record was corrected, he was finally able to return to work.

This case underscores an important truth: even if you’ve done everything right, inaccurate information in the Clearinghouse can jeopardize your employment. That’s why we strongly encourage every member with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to check their Clearinghouse record regularly.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) operates the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, an online database that provides real-time access to CDL drug and alcohol violations. Employers are required to check the Clearinghouse before hiring and at least annually for current drivers.

Here are the steps you should take to make sure your information is correct:

• Register for the Clearinghouse: Create a free account at login.gov, then use it to register at the FMCSA Clearinghouse. You’ll need to enter your CDL number and the state that issued it. This allows you to view your own record and respond to employer queries.
• Check your record: Once your account is set up and verified, log in to monitor your Clearinghouse record at any time. This is the only way to know what prospective employers are seeing.
• Give electronic consent if needed: If an employer runs a query and finds information in your record, they’ll request your electronic consent for a full review. If you don’t respond, the employer is required to remove you from safety-sensitive duties until it’s resolved.
• Dispute incorrect information: If you spot an error or outdated violation in your record, file a correction request through FMCSA’s DataQs system. Be sure to include documentation to support your claim.

If you hold a CDL, IBEW 1837 strongly recommends taking a few minutes to check your Clearinghouse record and resolve any issues before they affect your employment.

You can learn more or register at: https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/Register