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

Summary: FMCSA extends the compliance date for the requirement established by the December 5, 2016, Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) final rule that States request information from the Clearinghouse (``query'') about individuals before completing certain commercial driver's license (CDL) transactions for those drivers. The States' compliance with this requirement, currently due to begin on January 6, 2020, is delayed until January 6, 2023. This rule will, however, allow States the option to voluntarily request Clearinghouse information beginning on January 6, 2020. The compliance date extension allows FMCSA the time needed to complete its work on a forthcoming rulemaking to address the States' use of driver-specific information from the Clearinghouse, and time to develop the information technology platform through which States will electronically request and receive Clearinghouse information. The compliance date of January 6, 2020, remains in place for all other requirements set forth in the Clearinghouse final rule.