What Clearinghouse Driver Registration Is
Clearinghouse driver registration is a federal system that tracks commercial drivers who have had certain violations, medical suspensions, or disqualifications. The Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS), operated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), maintains this record. When you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) or are required to report to the clearinghouse, your driving history — including violations, medical certification status, and disqualifications — is recorded in this centralized database that all states can access.
The clearinghouse replaced an older paper-based system and now serves as the single source of truth for commercial driver information across state lines. If you drive a commercial vehicle, your employer, the state that issued your license, and law enforcement can all look up your record in the clearinghouse. This affects your ability to work, your insurance rates, and whether you can legally operate a commercial vehicle.
Key Takeaways
- The clearinghouse is a federal database run by NHTSA that tracks all commercial drivers and their violations, medical status, and disqualifications across every state.
- Your record in the clearinghouse includes CDL violations, medical certification suspensions, out-of-service orders, and disqualifications from driving commercial vehicles.
- Employers are required to check the clearinghouse before hiring a driver and must check it every 30 days while you work for them.
- You can view your own clearinghouse record for free through the CDLIS website and can dispute information you believe is wrong.
- Certain violations and medical issues can result in disqualifications that range from 30 days to permanent, depending on the offense and whether it is a first or repeat violation.
Who Must Register and Report to the Clearinghouse
If you hold a CDL or drive a commercial vehicle for work, you are part of the clearinghouse system whether you formally "register" or not — your state's licensing authority automatically reports your information. However, if you are a medical examiner or a driver who has had a medical certification issue, you may need to report directly to the clearinghouse yourself.
Employers are the parties most directly responsible for using the clearinghouse. They must query the system before hiring any driver who will operate a commercial vehicle and must check every current driver's record at least once every 30 days. If you are self-employed and hold a CDL, you are still in the system, though you will not have an employer checking on your behalf.
States report violations, disqualifications, and medical suspensions to the clearinghouse automatically. You do not need to do anything to be added — your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency handles this when you are issued a CDL or when a violation occurs.
What Information Is Recorded in Your Clearinghouse File
Your clearinghouse record contains your CDL status, all violations committed while driving a commercial vehicle, medical certification information, and any disqualifications or out-of-service orders. Specific violations tracked include speeding, reckless driving, improper lane changes, following too closely, and violations of hours-of-service rules. The system also records whether you have a valid medical certificate and whether any medical conditions have caused your certification to be suspended or revoked.
Disqualifications are recorded with their start date and duration. A first offense of certain violations — such as driving under the influence (DUI) while operating a commercial vehicle — results in a one-year disqualification. A second serious violation within ten years results in a ten-year disqualification. Permanent disqualifications are recorded for offenses like fleeing law enforcement or using a vehicle to commit a felony.
The clearinghouse also tracks out-of-service orders, which are temporary prohibitions issued by law enforcement or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These orders prevent you from operating a commercial vehicle for a set period — typically 24 hours to several days — and are recorded in your file.
How to Access and Review Your Own Record
You can view your clearinghouse record for free through the CDLIS website maintained by NHTSA. To access your record, you will need to create an account using your Social Security number, CDL number, and state of issuance. The process takes a few minutes and requires you to verify your identity through a series of security questions.
Once logged in, you can see your current CDL status, any violations on file, your medical certification status, and any active disqualifications or out-of-service orders. You can also see a history of queries — that is, a log of when employers or other authorized parties have looked up your record. This log is useful if you suspect someone has accessed your information without permission.
If you find information in your clearinghouse record that you believe is incorrect — such as a violation you did not commit or a medical suspension that has been resolved — you can file a dispute through the CDLIS website. The dispute process requires you to explain why the information is wrong and may require supporting documentation, such as a court order or a letter from your medical examiner.
Disqualifications and How Long They Last
Disqualifications vary in length depending on the offense and your history. A first serious violation — such as reckless driving, improper lane changes, or following too closely — results in a 60-day disqualification. A second serious violation within three years results in a 120-day disqualification. A third or subsequent serious violation within three years results in a one-year disqualification.
More severe offenses carry longer disqualifications. A DUI or refusal to submit to a breath or blood test while driving a commercial vehicle results in a one-year disqualification for a first offense and a permanent disqualification for a second offense. Driving a commercial vehicle with a suspended or revoked license results in a one-year disqualification. Causing a fatality through negligent operation of a commercial vehicle results in a one-year disqualification.
Hazardous materials violations, leaving the scene of an accident, and using a commercial vehicle to commit a felony all carry one-year disqualifications. Fleeing law enforcement or using a commercial vehicle to commit a felony involving the manufacture or distribution of controlled substances results in a permanent disqualification with no possibility of reinstatement.
What Employers See When They Check the Clearinghouse
Employers see your current CDL status, any active disqualifications, your medical certification status, and a summary of violations on your record. They do not see every detail of every violation — for example, they see that you had a speeding violation but not necessarily the exact speed or location. However, they do see enough to know whether you have a pattern of violations or whether you are currently disqualified from driving.
Employers are required to check the clearinghouse before hiring you and then at least once every 30 days while you work for them. Some employers check more frequently. If an employer discovers a disqualification or a violation that violates their safety policy, they can refuse to hire you or can terminate your employment. Federal regulations require employers to remove any driver from commercial driving duties if the clearinghouse shows an active disqualification.
The clearinghouse also allows employers to set up alerts, so they are notified automatically if your record changes — for example, if a new violation is added or if a disqualification begins. This means your employer may learn about a violation before you do.
Disputing Errors in Your Clearinghouse Record
If your clearinghouse record contains information you believe is wrong, you have the right to dispute it. The dispute process begins on the CDLIS website, where you can submit a written explanation of why the information is incorrect. You should be as specific as possible — for example, if a violation was dismissed in court, explain that and provide the case number or court order if you have it.
After you submit a dispute, NHTSA will contact the state that reported the information and ask them to verify it. If the state confirms the information is correct, the dispute is denied and the record stands. If the state agrees the information is wrong — for example, because the violation was overturned on appeal — the state will correct its records and the clearinghouse will be updated automatically.
The dispute process can take several weeks. During that time, the information remains visible in your clearinghouse record and employers can still see it. If you need the information corrected urgently — for example, because it is preventing you from being hired — you may want to contact the state DMV directly to ask them to expedite the correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do employers check the clearinghouse?
Federal regulations require employers to check at least once every 30 days. Many employers check more frequently, and some check weekly or even daily. You can see when your record has been queried by logging into your CDLIS account and viewing the query history.
Can a disqualification be removed early?
Most disqualifications cannot be removed early. Once a disqualification is recorded, it runs for the full duration set by law. Permanent disqualifications cannot be removed at all. If you believe a disqualification was recorded in error, your only option is to file a dispute.
What happens if I drive while disqualified?
Driving a commercial vehicle while disqualified is a federal offense. You can face criminal charges, fines, and additional disqualifications. Your employer can also be fined for knowingly allowing you to drive while disqualified. If you are disqualified, you cannot legally operate any commercial vehicle.
Does a clearinghouse record affect my personal driver's license?
A CDL disqualification does not automatically disqualify your personal driver's license. However, certain violations — such as DUI — may result in suspensions on both your CDL and your personal license, depending on state law. Check with your state DMV to understand how a specific violation affects both licenses.
How long does information stay in the clearinghouse?
Violations and disqualifications remain in the clearinghouse for the duration of the disqualification and for a period after it ends. The exact retention period varies by offense type and state law. Once a disqualification expires, the record is typically kept for reference but is no longer active.