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FMCSA Expands ID Checks to Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
New Requirements Target Fraud and Strengthen Database Security
Key Takeaways:
- FMCSA began the first phase of mandatory identity verification for new Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse users on April 27.
- Five categories of new registrants must complete verification using government-issued identification or a selfie.
- A second phase will later require existing Clearinghouse users to complete identity verification.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has begun rolling out new identity-verification requirements for its Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, launching the first of two phases aimed at curbing fraud in the online database.
The Clearinghouse allows law enforcement officers, employers and state agencies to quickly identify commercial drivers prohibited from operating vehicles because of drug or alcohol violations.
“By strengthening identity verification, we are closing gaps that could be exploited by bad actors, protecting the integrity of the data and reinforcing confidence across the entire commercial driver safety industry,” FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs said April 27.
FMCSA is deploying the new verification system through Idemia, headquartered in Courbevoie, a suburb of Paris. The agency noted the Department of Homeland Security already uses Idemia for secure identity verification at airports.
“Safety is nonnegotiable at FMCSA, and that means ensuring the systems we rely on are secure, accurate and trustworthy,” Barrs added.
New process
FMCSA said it is “aggressively addressing fraudulent activity” with the changes, which mark the first identity-verification requirement for the Clearinghouse. Effective April 27, five categories of new Clearinghouse users must verify their identity through a secure web application.
The requirement applies to new registrants who are:
- Employers without a portal account
- Consortium/third-party administrators
- Medical review officers
- Substance abuse professionals
- Assistants invited to register under another entity
After logging in and selecting a user role, registrants are prompted to verify their identity before completing Clearinghouse registration.
Users complete the process by scanning a QR code or clicking a mobile link to access the FMCSA Identity Verification app, where they scan a government-issued ID or take a selfie.
FMCSA is strengthening the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
Enhanced ID verification starts now.
No gaps. Safer Roads.
See link in comments for more. pic.twitter.com/l7tm8XKXP5 — FMCSA (@FMCSA) April 27, 2026
If verification is successful, users are returned to the Clearinghouse to confirm the process is complete.
FMCSA said the system automatically pulls a user’s first, middle (if any) and last names from the ID, and that information cannot be edited during registration.
“This update closes the gap to ensure all types of Clearinghouse users must complete some form of identity verification. Driver accounts have been verified from the inception of the Clearinghouse by validating license information,” FMCSA said.
Currently, the system accepts identification documents only from the United States, Canada and Mexico. For Mexico, only passports are accepted.
Users who encounter problems may retry the verification process without limit, though they may need to generate a new QR code by logging out and back in. Those unable to complete the process online can visit one of 252 identity-verification enrollment centers.
Additional help is available through the FMCSA Contact Center, either by submitting an online ticket or calling 1-800-832-5660.
Employers of CDL drivers registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation will have their identity verified through the DOT registration process.
Next phase
FMCSA said a second phase will require existing Clearinghouse users to complete the new identity-verification process.
No timeline has been announced, but the agency encouraged users to subscribe to Clearinghouse email updates.
