FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse has emancipated significant registration requirements for all CDL Drivers. As a CDL driver you may be subject to employer Clearinghouse requirements. As a self-employed driver, failure to comply with FMCSA Clearinghouse will limit your ability to perform safety-sensitive duties. Do not limit yourself to find new routes and employers to work with, find out how to register now.
Assistance for CMV drivers in the clearinghouse is available and economical. The registration link direct from the FMCSA Clearinghouse is https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/register
FMCSA Clearinghouse
FMCSA stands for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The FMCSA is responsible for regulating commercial motor vehicles. This involves regulation of drivers, educational information for CMV drivers, administering safety checks, research of best practices, and technology based improvements to the industry.
Importance of FMCSA Clearinghouse
The FMCSA is responsible for improving safety and reducing crashes on US highways. The FMCSA Clearinghouse works hard to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities including large CMV's like trucks and buses. Fundamentally it is their job to keep everyone safe.
Commercial motor vehicle drivers running on public roads must meet the following requirements to be considered under FMCSA Clearinghouse rules:
CDL Drivers operating commercial motor vehicles
CMVs greater than 26000 GVWR, or transporting more than sixteen passengers or placarded for hazardous materials on the public roadways.The above points are also applicable to owner operators and drivers with Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
What does a "self-employed" driver look like?
Self-employed drivers, also known as "owner-operators" or "single-driver operations" are persons who operate a commercial motor vehicle for their own authority. This can be as a single person or under your own company "You are required to register in the FMCSA Clearinghouse as an employer and indicate that you are an "owner-operator" during the registration process."
Self-employed Driver
Self-employed drivers are also known as owner operators or single driver operations are those who operate a commercial motor vehicle for their own authority. This can be a single person or under your own company. You're required to register in the FMCSA Clearinghouse as an employer and indicate that you are an owner operator at the time of registration.
Why should you register for FMCSA Clearinghouse?
Being a self employed driver you are contingent to the FMCSA Clearinghouse rules and regulation just like any other employer. You need to register in the FMCSA Clearinghouse as an employer and designate yourself as an owner operator at the time of registration. Once registered you can add drivers by verifying CDL information with the system.
All employers of CDL drivers must cross verify the FMCSA Clearinghouse to verify there are no unresolved substance abuse program violations or prohibitions on recent or potential drivers. Any CMV operations need a FMCSA Clearinghouse check by the employer. The driver should also facilitate consent to the employer via FMCSA Clearinghouse for employment checks. Failing to consent will block the driver from safety sensitive roles like CMV driving.
As a CDL Driver, how can you use the FMCSA Clearinghouse?
Once registered with FMCSA Clearinghouse as a self-employed CDL driver you can take advantage of its many useful features. You can facilitate immediate electronic consent to release your FMCSA Clearinghouse records to make sure they are accurate, up to date and remove any incorrect information required. If you've an unresolved substance abuse program breach, you can find a substance abuse professional or SAP to assist you with return to duty (RTD) activities so you can get back on the road.
