DPS Now Removing Commercial Vehicle Driving Privileges of Licenses in Prohibited Status
Under Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Rule 2, the Texas Department of Public Safety is removing the driving privileges of commercial driver license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders whose status is listed as prohibited in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) drug and alcohol clearinghouse. Drivers must complete the return-to-duty process to have their privileges reinstated.
FMCSA Clearinghouse Employer Obligations
The FMCSA Clearinghouse is a secure online database that provides employers, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), state driver licensing agencies, and state law enforcement personnel with real-time information about CDL and CLP holders’ drug and alcohol program violations.
The first Clearinghouse rule, which went into effect Jan. 6, 2020, requires employers to:
- Query the Clearinghouse for current and prospective employees' drug and alcohol violations before permitting those employees to operate a CMV on public roads.
- Annually query the Clearinghouse for each driver they currently employ.
The FMCSA website offers more information about the FMCSA Clearinghouse as well as CDL and CLP downgrades.
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