Compliance FAQ
When must a CDL driver be queried in the FMCSA Clearinghouse?
A pre-employment full query is required under 49 CFR §382.701(a) before the CDL driver's first dispatch in any safety-sensitive function, with documented driver consent. An annual limited query is required under §382.701(b) at least once every 12 months thereafter. Both apply to every CDL driver subject to §382.
Reviewed by Korey Sharp-Paar · Updated
Why does it matter?
The §382.701(a) pre-employment full query is mandatory before a CDL driver performs any safety-sensitive function (driving, pre-trip, fueling, post-trip - anything covered by §382.107) for the new employer. The query returns whether the driver has any unresolved drug-and-alcohol violation in the Clearinghouse. Operating without the query before first dispatch is a documented violation and shows on the carrier's SMS scoring.
The full query requires written or electronic driver consent that authorizes the carrier to access detailed Clearinghouse violation information. Consent is captured on the Fast Trucking Compliance driver screening order form, bundled with the FCRA + DPPA disclosures.
The §382.701(b) annual limited query is mandatory once every 12 months for every CDL driver in the carrier's employ. The limited query returns only whether information exists in the Clearinghouse - if any does, the carrier has 24 hours to obtain the driver's consent for a full query. The Annual Refresh package ($150) bundles the §391.25 annual MVR review and CDLIS with 12 months of Clearinghouse query management, which covers the §382.701(b) limited query.
A driver with a real-time §382 violation event (positive test, refusal) has the violation reported to the Clearinghouse by the testing MRO or employer. The driver remains "prohibited" until they complete the §382.503 return-to-duty process. A pre-employment query on a prohibited driver returns the prohibition status and the carrier may not allow the driver to perform safety-sensitive functions.
Order driver screening
We order the driver records you choose from the issuing state, AAMVA and FMCSA, with the driver consents collected at checkout, and email you the reports as PDFs. From $50 (MVR Basic) to $175 (DOT Pre-Employment).
Independent screening service operated by Fast Filing Group LLC. Not affiliated with FMCSA, USDOT, AAMVA, any state DMV or any government agency.