Federal compliance
Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse rules for new carriers
Every employer of CDL drivers must register in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, buy a query plan at $1.25 per query, run a full query before each hire, and run at least a limited query on every driver each year. Owner-operators must also work with a consortium or third party administrator.
By Evan Reid, Founder of Haul Handbook · Updated Jul 18, 2026
Who must register
All employers of CDL drivers must register in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and purchase a query plan; query plans are sold only by the FMCSA Clearinghouse. Consortia and third party administrators (C/TPAs) cannot purchase queries on an employer's behalf.
That last part trips people up: your consortium or third party administrator can run your testing program, but only your own Clearinghouse account can hold the query plan. Registration comes early in the authority setup sequence, right alongside your USDOT number.
The two query types
Limited queries check whether information exists in a driver's record and satisfy the annual requirement, with consent obtained outside the Clearinghouse. Full queries, required for pre-employment, disclose detailed violation information and need the driver's electronic consent inside the Clearinghouse.
Employers must run a query as part of every pre-employment driver investigation and at least annually for every CDL driver they employ.
What queries cost
$1.25 per query Flat rate per query, limited or full; bundles are sized to fleet needs and queries never expire. If a limited query flags a record and the employer follows up with a full query, only one charge applies.
Owner-operators
Working with a C/TPA to manage the drug and alcohol testing program is required for all owner-operators (employers who employ themselves as CDL drivers, typically single-driver operations).
If you haul with your own truck under your own authority, you wear both hats: employer and driver. The C/TPA keeps the testing program independent, which is what the rule is after. Not sure the Clearinghouse even applies to your rig? It follows the CDL, so start with whether your vehicle needs a CDL at all.
Why this matters beyond the rule
FMCSA's new entrant safety audit reviews your drug and alcohol testing program, and a missing program is on the automatic failure list. Set the Clearinghouse up before your first dispatch and that whole category of risk goes away.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the Clearinghouse if I am my own only driver?
- Yes. Working with a C/TPA to manage the drug and alcohol testing program is required for all owner-operators (employers who employ themselves as CDL drivers, typically single-driver operations).
How much does a Clearinghouse query cost?
- $1.25 per query, limited or full. Flat rate per query, limited or full; bundles are sized to fleet needs and queries never expire. If a limited query flags a record and the employer follows up with a full query, only one charge applies.
What is the difference between a limited and a full query?
- Limited queries check whether information exists in a driver's record and satisfy the annual requirement, with consent obtained outside the Clearinghouse. Full queries, required for pre-employment, disclose detailed violation information and need the driver's electronic consent inside the Clearinghouse.
How often do I have to run queries?
- Employers must run a query as part of every pre-employment driver investigation and at least annually for every CDL driver they employ.
Can my consortium or TPA buy my query plan for me?
- No. All employers of CDL drivers must register in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and purchase a query plan; query plans are sold only by the FMCSA Clearinghouse. Consortia and third party administrators (C/TPAs) cannot purchase queries on an employer's behalf.
Sources
Primary statutes and official agency pages this guide relies on. Laws and fees change, so confirm against the current source before you act.
- Query Plans, FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse · Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), U.S. DOT
Haul Handbook publishes educational information about trucking registration and compliance requirements. This is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Rules, fees, and deadlines change; confirm with the agency before you file or pay.