Extension of Compliance Date for States' Query of the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

Summary: FMCSA proposes to extend the compliance date for the requirement established by the Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) final rule that States request information from the Clearinghouse (``query'') before completing certain commercial driver's license (CDL) transactions. The States' compliance with this requirement, currently due to begin on January 6, 2020, would be delayed until January 6, 2023. This proposal would, however, allow States the option to voluntarily request Clearinghouse information beginning on January 6, 2020. As explained further below, the proposed delay of the State query requirement would have no impact on highway safety. The compliance date of January 6, 2020 would remain in place for all other requirements set forth in the Clearinghouse final rule.