Do all CDL drivers need a Clearinghouse account?

No, only those that must consent to a full query. A full query shows all the details that exist on the driver in the CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. A full query requires a driver to log into their account to authorize the motor carrier’s access to the report.

A pre-employment query is a full query. Anyone seeking a CDL safety-sensitive position must be prepared to grant consent via the portal by having an account.

Annual queries performed by motor carriers on existing drivers are, at minimum, a limited query. A limited query requires the employer to have the driver grant consent outside of the portal. The limited query simply states whether the driver has information in the system. If the driver has a record in the Clearinghouse, the motor carrier is required to request a full, follow-on query to learn details. If an existing driver is in need of a full query, they need a portal account or create one.

A driver that refuses to grant consent for either a limited or full query, as the case may be, cannot be used in a safety-sensitive function.