Are you one of the 179K commercial vehicle drivers facing a CDL downgrade this month? Here’s what you need to know.

In just a matter of days, tens of thousands of commercial vehicle drivers with reported drug or alcohol violations will face an automatic license downgrade under a new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rule.

Clearinghouse II Rule Requires States To Revoke Commercial Driving Privileges From Prohibited Drivers

Effective November 18, 2024, commercial vehicle drivers with violations in the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse will have their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) downgraded by State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) as part of the Clearinghouse-II rule.

These drivers will be prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle until the return-to-duty (RTD) process is completed.

It should be noted that several states have started the license downgrade process ahead of the November 18 deadline.

179K CDLs/CLPs At Risk

According to the most recent FMCSA reporting, 178,839 CDL/CLP holders are listed in “Prohibited” Status in the Clearinghouse as of October 1, 2024. Of these, 136,224 have not yet begun the RTD process.

How Do I Check My Clearinghouse Status?

Drivers may check their own status in the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse to see if they are listed as “Prohibited” at no cost. The link to register or log in with a Login.gov account is here.

If you do not have a Login.gov account, you can click here to view an FMCSA guide on how to create one.

What Is The Return-To-Duty Process?

For the drivers facing a downgrade, the RTD process must be completed in order to achieve the “Not-Prohibited Status” that will allow SLDA’s to reinstate commercial driving privileges.

See below for a guide from the FMCSA on the steps needed to complete the RTD process.

Select a Substance Abuse Professional

Take the return-to-duty test

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