Clearinghouse News Updates

Suhash Harwani of Quest Diagnostics writes: the emerging evidence propels an argument that employers — particularly in the transportation sector — should stay vigilant on drug testing.

New Mexico lawmakers recently enacted legislation requiring federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse results be used before granting commercial driver licenses.

The total number of truck driver drug violations increased by 10% in 2021, compared with total numbers reported in 2020, according to a new federal Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse summary report.

The number of positive driver drug tests through August increased by nearly 13%, when compared with a year ago, according to a new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse summary report.

The rate of positive truck driver drug tests recorded in the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse in the first three months of this year remains on pace with last year’s, and the number of drivers who have yet to enroll in return-to-duty programs remains persistently low.

More than 56,000 drug and alcohol violations were recorded last year in a database intended to track truck drivers’ compliance history and prevent them from job-hopping in the event of a failed drug test.

The latest economic report from ATA estimates the driver shortage to be over 60,000. What role has the pandemic played? Older drivers chose to retire while potential drivers found licensing difficult with the closure of state motor vehicles offices. The launch of the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse database also impacted the number of drivers on the road.

Nearly 46,000 driver drug-related violations have been recorded in the federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse during its first 10 months of operation.

More than 10,000 positive drug tests for marijuana were reported to the federal Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse through the end of May this year, distinguishing pot by far as the banned drug of choice for truck drivers failing tests, according to new numbers released in a Clearinghouse report June 11.

A group that manages the services of an estimated 12,000 drivers for major motion picture studios and independent and commercial production houses has been granted a five-year exemption from conducting full pre-employment queries of the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse for its drivers, FMCSA announced.