A federal rule change might leave 179,000 commercial drivers with a CDL downgrade this month due to drug or alcohol violations.
Effective Date: Starting November 18, 2024, drivers listed as "Prohibited" in the FMCSA's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse will lose their commercial driving privileges unless they complete the Return-To-Duty (RTD) process.
- This affects drivers whose violations are recorded, with states initiating the CDL downgrade process.
- Over 136,000 drivers have yet to start the RTD process, leaving many on the brink of losing their licenses.
**Checking Status:** Drivers can verify their status for free on the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse website by logging in or creating an account through Login.gov.
The RTD Process: To regain driving privileges, drivers must:
- Select a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) for evaluation and treatment.
- Complete any advised education or therapy and pass a return-to-duty test conducted through their employer.
- Participate in follow-up testing arranged by their employer, which includes at least six unannounced tests in the first 12 months after returning to safety-sensitive duties.
Looking ahead: The violation information remains in the Clearinghouse for five years or until the follow-up testing is successfully completed — whichever is longer, according to an FMCSA press release.