Drug, Alcohol Database Proposal Sent to White House for Review

The White House has started to review a proposed regulation that would create a national database of every commercial driver who has failed a required drug or alcohol test or refused to take one — the final review before the proposal can be issued.

The drug and alcohol clearinghouse is intended to ensure that truck and bus drivers who test positive for drug or alcohol use do not drive until they have completed the required steps for returning to duty, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said in a summary submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget.

OMB did not provide any information about the proposal beyond the summary. The office is allowed to take 90 days to review the proposal for its adherence to the law and administration policy but can take longer if it is needed. FMCSA can publish the proposal after OMB signs off.

American Trucking Associations has called for the clearinghouse since 2007, and Map-21, last year’s major transportation law, called for it as well.