FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Testing for CDL Drivers
Drug testing consortium for CDL drivers, motor carriers, and owner-operators. FMCSA Part 382 compliance under 49 CFR Part 40 with Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse support — we handle everything so you can keep your fleet moving.
Enroll NowWhat's included
- FMCSA Part 382 consortium enrollment
- Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse registration support
- Pre-employment query management
- Random selection pool administration
- Post-accident testing coordination
- MRO (Medical Review Officer) services
- SAP referral network
- Audit-ready recordkeeping portal
Who must comply?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires drug and alcohol testing for all CDL drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce.
Motor Carriers
Any company employing CDL drivers to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
Owner-Operators
Independent CDL drivers who are their own employer must join a consortium.
Leasing Companies
Companies that lease CMVs to drivers must ensure testing compliance.
Mechanics & Technicians
CDL holders who perform safety-sensitive maintenance functions on CMVs.
FMCSA violations can result in out-of-service orders, civil penalties up to $16,000 per violation, and loss of operating authority. The Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse is now mandatory — APCA ensures you're fully registered and compliant.
Required test types
Federal regulations require specific testing at defined circumstances. APCA manages all of them.
Pre-Employment
Required before a CDL driver first performs safety-sensitive functions. Must include a Clearinghouse query.
Random Testing
FMCSA requires minimum 50% drug testing and 10% alcohol testing annually. APCA manages your random pool.
Post-Accident
Required after accidents meeting specific criteria. Drug test within 32 hours, alcohol test within 8 hours.
Reasonable Suspicion
When a trained supervisor observes behavior consistent with drug or alcohol use. Must be documented.
Return-to-Duty
Required before a driver returns to safety-sensitive functions following a violation.
Follow-Up
Unannounced testing following return-to-duty, minimum 6 tests in first 12 months.
Compliance checklist
Everything you need to stay compliant — APCA handles all of it on your behalf.
Clearinghouse
- Employer registered in FMCSA Clearinghouse
- Pre-employment full queries conducted
- Annual limited queries for all drivers
- Violations reported within 3 business days
Testing Program
- Written drug and alcohol policy
- Consortium/C/TPA agreement in place
- DER designated and trained
- Supervisor training completed (60 min drugs, 60 min alcohol)
Recordkeeping
- Test results retained for 5 years
- Random selection records for 2 years
- Clearinghouse query records
- Annual MIS report filed with FMCSA
Regulatory resources
49 CFR Part 382 — FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Testing
The primary regulation governing drug and alcohol testing for CDL drivers. Covers testing requirements, procedures, and recordkeeping.
View official resource →FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse
The federal database that tracks CDL drivers' drug and alcohol violations. Employers must query the Clearinghouse before hiring and annually for all drivers.
View official resource →APCA Pro Tip: The FMCSA Clearinghouse became mandatory in January 2020. All employers must conduct a pre-employment full query AND an annual limited query for every CDL driver. APCA manages your Clearinghouse queries as part of your program — no extra steps required.
Owner-operator or small fleet?
Even a single CDL driver requires a compliant drug and alcohol testing program. Owner-operators must join a consortium — you can't run a solo random pool. APCA makes it simple and affordable, starting at $149/year.
Get StartedFrequently asked questions
Ready to get your FMCSA program in place?
Enroll in minutes. We handle setup, random selections, results, and recordkeeping — so you don't have to.