FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Rulemaking Update - SDLA Requirements

November 8^th, 2021 - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Clearinghouse Rule II

What It Means for State Driver Licensing Agencies

As of November 8, 2021, FMCSA’s second Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse final rule, Controlled Substances and Alcohol Testing: State Driver’s Licensing Agency Non-Issuance/Downgrade of Commercial Driver’s License; Correction, is in effect. This rule addresses how States will use the information in the Clearinghouse to help ensure that only qualified drivers receive and retain a CDL or CLP. State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) must be in compliance with the new requirements no later than November 18, 2024.

SDLA Requirements

The Clearinghouse rule II established new requirements for SDLAs. The question and answer below has been added to the Clearinghouse website to summarize the SDLA requirements.

FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Rulemaking Update

November 8^th, 2021 - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Clearinghouse Rule II

What It Means for Clearinghouse Users

On November 8, 2021, the second Clearinghouse final rule, Controlled Substances and Alcohol Testing: State Driver’s Licensing Agency Non-Issuance/Downgrade of Commercial Driver’s License; Correction, went into effect. This rule addresses how States are required to use the information in the Clearinghouse to help ensure that only qualified drivers are eligible to receive and retain a commercial driver's license (CDL).

Employer Requirements Have Not Changed

The second Clearinghouse rule does not change any of the requirements for employers to query CDL and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders and report drug and alcohol program violations. All requirements established by the first Clearinghouse rule, Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, remain in place. Download the brochures below to learn more about these requirements.

FMCSA Tells States to Ban Drivers with Drug, Alcohol Strikes

By Matt Cole, Todd Dills

October 6^th, 2021 | Updated October 8^th, 2021 - Overdrive Online

Truck drivers who have a positive drug or alcohol test and find themselves in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse will begin having their licenses downgraded after a final rule from the agency takes effect.

That rule will be published in the Federal Register Thursday, Oct. 7. With it, FMCSA is amending its regulations to establish requirements for state driver’s licensing agencies (SDLAs) to access and use information in the Clearinghouse.

FTA Publishes Calendar Year 2022 Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Rates

October 27^th, 2021 - Federal Transit Administration

FTA published a Federal Register notice to announce the CY2022 Drug and Alcohol Random Testing Rates for transit employers. The minimum random drug testing rate will remain at 50 percent and the random alcohol testing rate will remain at 10 percent. FTA requires drug and alcohol testing for transit employees performing safety-sensitive functions and for employers to submit annual drug and alcohol testing reports by March 15 of each year.

View detailed reports on FTA’s drug and alcohol testing data collected from transit employers. For more information, visit the FTA Drug and Alcohol Program webpage, or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., FTA Senior Drug and Alcohol Program Manager, Office of Transit Safety and Oversight.

FTA Drug and Alcohol Newsletter: April 2021, Issue 71

April 30^th, 2021 - Federal Transit Administration

A new issue of the newsletter from the FTA Drug & Alcohol Program is now available. Issue 71 includes information on determining if positions are safety-sensitive, trends in the positive testing rate, saliva specimens and confirmation tests, resumption of the FTA Drug and Alcohol program audits now remotely and much more.

Please share the newsletter with colleagues and send comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..