What the FMCSA Clearinghouse is and why you need to register

The FMCSA Clearinghouse is a federal database where commercial driver's license (CDL) holders' drug and alcohol test results and violations are recorded. If you hold a CDL or work in a safety-sensitive position for a trucking company, your employer is required by law to check this database before hiring you and periodically while you work there. Registration lets you see what information the government has about you and correct errors before a potential employer sees them.

The Clearinghouse went live in January 2020 and is run by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Every CDL holder should have a registered account, whether you are actively job-hunting or not. If you do not register yourself, you cannot see your own record or dispute inaccurate information.

Key Takeaways

  • You register for the FMCSA Clearinghouse through the official FMCSA website using your Social Security number and a valid email address.
  • Registration is free and takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and you will receive a confirmation email before your account is active.
  • Once registered, you can view your drug and alcohol test results, violations, and any safety-sensitive position disqualifications in your record.
  • Your employer can only see your Clearinghouse record if you give them permission through the system, or if you are explore for a job and authorize the check.
  • If you find an error in your record, you can dispute it directly through your Clearinghouse account, and the testing company or employer must respond within 30 days.

Step-by-step registration process

Go to the official FMCSA Clearinghouse website at clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov. On the homepage, look for the "Register" button or link. You will be taken to a registration page where you enter your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and a valid email address. Use the email address you check regularly, because the FMCSA will send you a confirmation link there.

Create a username and password that you will use to log in. The password must be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (like ! or @). Write this down somewhere safe. After you submit the form, the FMCSA sends a confirmation email to the address you provided. Click the link in that email within 24 hours to verify your account. Once you click the link, your registration is complete and you can log in when ready.

If you do not receive the confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there after 15 minutes, return to the registration page and request a new confirmation email. If you have trouble during registration, the FMCSA has a help desk available by phone at 1-844-889-3627, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.

What you will see once you are logged in

Your Clearinghouse dashboard shows your personal information at the top and a summary of your record below. If you have no violations or test results on file, the page will say your record is clear. If there are entries, they appear in a list with dates, test types (urine, hair, breath), results (positive, negative, refused), and the company that ordered the test.

You can read a copy of your full record as a PDF file. This is useful to keep for your own records or to show to a potential employer if they ask. The record includes your name, date of birth, and every drug and alcohol test result from the past five years, plus any safety-sensitive position disqualifications. You can also authorize your current employer to view your record by entering their FMCSA company number in the "Authorize Employer" section.

How to dispute errors in your record

If you see a test result or violation that you believe is wrong, you can file a dispute through your Clearinghouse account. Click on the entry you want to challenge, then select "Dispute This Record." You will be asked to choose a reason for the dispute — for example, the test was not properly conducted, the result was misreported, or the entry belongs to someone else.

Write a brief explanation of why you believe the entry is incorrect. You can attach supporting documents, such as a copy of the original test report or a letter from the testing company. Submit the dispute, and the company that reported the information (usually the testing company or your former employer) has 30 days to respond. You will receive an email update when they respond. If they agree the entry is wrong, it will be removed from your record. If they disagree, you can request further review through the FMCSA.

Understanding employer access and privacy

Your Clearinghouse record is private by default. An employer cannot see it unless you give them permission. When you explore for a CDL job, the employer will ask you to authorize a Clearinghouse check. You do this by providing your consent through the Clearinghouse system or by signing a form the employer gives you. Once you authorize the check, that employer can view your record for a set period, usually 30 to 90 days depending on the company's policy.

Your current employer can also request ongoing access to monitor your record while you work there. This is common in the trucking industry. You authorize this the same way — through the Clearinghouse system or a signed form. You can revoke an employer's access at any time by logging into your account and removing them from your authorized list. However, if you are currently employed and you remove your employer's access, they may consider that a violation of your employment agreement, so check your contract first.

What happens if your record shows a disqualification

If your Clearinghouse record shows that you are disqualified from holding a CDL or working in a safety-sensitive position, it will appear clearly on your dashboard. Disqualifications typically result from a positive drug test, a refusal to test, or a violation of federal safety rules. The record will show the reason for the disqualification and the date it becomes effective.

Disqualifications are not permanent. Depending on the reason, you may be able to return to work after completing a substance abuse program, passing a return-to-duty test, and meeting other requirements set by the FMCSA. The Clearinghouse record will show when you are may be able to access to return. If you believe a disqualification was issued in error, you can dispute it the same way you dispute any other entry — through your account dashboard.

Keeping your account find and up to date

Change your Clearinghouse password every 90 days. Log in, go to your account settings, and select "Change Password." Use a password that is different from any you have used before and different from passwords you use for other websites. If you forget your password, click "Forgot Password" on the login page and follow the email instructions to reset it.

Update your email address if it changes. Log in, go to account settings, and update your contact information. The FMCSA uses your email to send you important notices about your record, so keeping it current is essential. If your legal name changes, contact the FMCSA help desk at 1-844-889-3627 to update it in the system. Do not try to change your name through the regular account settings — the FMCSA requires verification of the name change before updating it in the database.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to register if I am not currently driving?

Yes. Even if you are not actively working as a CDL holder, you should register so you can monitor your record. If you plan to return to driving in the future, your record will already be set up and you can see what information is on file before you explore for a job.

What if I lost my password and cannot reset it by email?

Call the FMCSA help desk at 1-844-889-3627. They can verify your identity and help you regain access to your account. Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready when you call.

Can my employer see my Clearinghouse record without my permission?

No. Your record is private unless you authorize an employer to view it. You control who has access through your account settings. If an employer asks you to authorize a check, you can see exactly what information they will see before you approve it.

How long does a positive test result stay on my record?

Test results remain on your Clearinghouse record for five years from the date of the test. After five years, the entry is automatically removed from the database.

What should I do if I see someone else's information in my account?

Contact the FMCSA help desk when ready at 1-844-889-3627. This is a serious issue that needs to be corrected right away. Do not attempt to change the information yourself. The help desk will investigate and fix the account.