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Approximately 200,000 commercial drivers may have lost their jobs due to a new FMCSA rule that requires states to downgrade licenses for drivers with drug and alcohol violations in the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. This rule, which went into effect in November 2024, mandated that state driver's licensing agencies remove commercial driving privileges for drivers listed as "prohibited" in the Clearinghouse until they complete the return-to-duty process, according to FreightCaviar. The rule aims to improve road safety by preventing drivers with drug and alcohol violations from operating commercial vehicles.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- FMCSA Clearinghouse:
The FMCSA's Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse is a database that tracks drug and alcohol testing violations for commercial drivers.
• • “Prohibited" Status:
Drivers who fail a drug or alcohol test are placed in "prohibited" status in the Clearinghouse.
- License Downgrades:
The new rule requires state driver's licensing agencies to downgrade the CDLs of drivers in "prohibited" status. - Return-to-Duty Process:
Drivers can regain their CDL by completing the return-to-duty process, which includes passing a drug test and completing any required treatment. - Impact:
The downgrade of licenses means drivers lose their jobs until they complete the return-to-duty process. - Job Losses:
Reports indicate that around 200,000 drivers were impacted by this change, leading to job losses