The deadline to conduct annual Limited Queries will be here before you know it. On January 6, 2023 the DOT Clearinghouse will have three complete years of data that helps identify whether an individual driver's Clearinghouse record contains information about resolved or unresolved drug and alcohol program violations, including positive drug or alcohol test results and test refusals. When a driver completes the return-to-duty (RTD) process and follow-up testing plan, this information is also recorded in the Clearinghouse.
FMCSA employees must be queried at least once within a 365-day period based on their hire date, or another 12-month period determined by the employer, as long as the requirements of § 382.701(b) are met. To avoid last minute submissions and any service disruptions while accessing the DOT Clearinghouse as a Best Practice make sure of the following:
- As the Employer you have sufficient queries purchased on the DOT Clearinghouse website to ensure you can perform the requisite amount of queries per driver.
- Purchasing a query plan enables employers, and their designated consortia/third-party administrators C/TPAs, to query the Clearinghouse for information on potential and currently employed drivers.
- Query plans may be purchased only on the FMCSA Clearinghouse website by registered employers.
- Visit https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/query/plan to learn more.
- Have a current consent form on file for the driver with the driver signature and date signed noted. (see link for sample DOT Clearinghouse Consent form - Sample-Limited-Consent-Form (dot.gov)
- If employing the services of a Service Agent ensure when submitting queries that the driver has registered on the DOT Clearinghouse or the query may be delayed.
The deadline for submitting annual queries will occur on January 5, 2023.
For additional information please reference the DOT Clearinghouse by visiting: Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse - Home (dot.gov).
Posted: July 29, 2022