WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is announcing improvements to the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse online database.
New identity verification requirements for certain Clearinghouse users aims to strengthen fraud prevention, improve record accuracy and enhance accountability for over six million users in the database.
“Safety is non-negotiable at FMCSA, and that means ensuring the systems we rely on are secure, accurate, and trustworthy,” said Derek Barrs, FMCSA Administrator. “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.”
Medical Review Officers, Substance Abuse Professionals, third-party administrators and employers will be required to take additional steps to verify their identities within the FMCSA database.
Additional Information
FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse online database allows employers, law enforcement and state agencies to quickly identify commercial vehicle drivers who are prohibited from driving due to drug and alcohol violations.
The new process will be completed using IDEMIA, a company specializing in secure identity verification and used by the Department of Homeland Security at airports across the country. Future phases will new requirements to most other users, though commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders are already verified through state systems.
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What about concerns regarding follow-up testing facilitated by employers? Having been part of the clearinghouse or SAP program for over four years, uncertainty arises regarding the status of my follow-ups. The program lacks detailed explanations for individuals facing issues. How will employer assistance impact the process? Potential hires are often approved with ease, primarily due to insurance denials.