This morning, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued its final rule creating a first-ever federal clearinghouse for driver drug and alcohol test results.

According to an FMCSA press release, motor carriers, medical review officers, third-party administrators and substance abuse professionals will be required to report information about drivers who test positive for drugs or alcohol, refuse required drug and alcohol tests or who have undergone return-to-duty drug and alcohol rehabilitation process.

 

ATA staff are reviewing the full details of the final rule, but for more than two decades, ATA has pressed for the creation of a clearinghouse in order to close the job-hopping loophole and to help prevent drivers who use drugs or alcohol from getting behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. 

 

Carriers can find more information about FMCSA’s rule here. ATA will be soon issuing a full evaluation and guide to the rule.