by Kelly Holden, Partner, DBL Law & Scott McGarvey, Owner/Operator, ArcPoint Labs
A new requirement for employers who hire drivers for commercial vehicle use takes effect early 2020. Beginning January 6, employers who hire commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers will be required to query a new national Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Clearinghouse database which will house drug and alcohol test results of truck drivers.
The Clearinghouse is a secure online database designed to give employers, the FMCSA, State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) and State Law enforcement personnel real-time information about commercial driver’s license and commercial learner’s permit holders’ drug and alcohol program violations. The new regulation will require employers to search the database for current and prospective employees’ drug and alcohol violations before permitting those employees to operate a CMV on public roads.
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will share details of the FMCSA Clearinghouse on January 14, 2020 at Receptions in Erlanger, KY. The event will also feature legal insights on hiring CDL drivers by DBL Law partner Kelly Holden. Substance Abuse Professional, Regina Gullette, Ph. D., will discuss the FMCSA Return to Duty Process and the Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance ODAPC, will provide other relevant Federal updates. An optional Reasonable Suspicion training will be available for an additional registration charge. Event sponsors include ARCpoint Labs, DBL Law, the National Drug & Alcohol Screening Association, and Nationwide Medical Review.
Regional employers, third-party administrators, drug and alcohol testing laboratory personnel, CDL license-holders and others interested in learning more may register at www.ndasa.com.
