Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH)
The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) is a secure online database operated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). DACH provides employers, state driver licensing agencies, and state law enforcement personnel real-time information about commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders’ drug and alcohol program violations.
The DACH contains records of violations of drug and alcohol prohibitions including positive drug or alcohol test results and test refusals. When a driver completes the return-to-duty process and follow-up testing plan, this information will also be recorded in the Clearinghouse.
Drivers holding CLPs or CDLs are subject to this federal requirement and should be registering with the DACH. Non-CDL holders and their employers are not subject to DACH requirements and should not be registering with the Clearinghouse.
Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Status and CDL Downgrades
As established in the first Clearinghouse final rule, drivers with a “prohibited” Clearinghouse status are prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on public roads. The second Clearinghouse final rule (Clearinghouse-II) further supports this by ensuring that drivers with a “prohibited” Clearinghouse status do not continue to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learner’s permit (CLP).
Beginning November 18, 2024, State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) will be required to remove the commercial driving privileges from the driver's license of an individual subject to the CMV driving prohibition. This would result in a downgrade of the license until the driver completes the return-to-duty (RTD) process. Note: SDLAs with legislative authority currently have the option to voluntarily query the Clearinghouse and downgrade CDLs for prohibited drivers and may do so before the November 18, 2024 compliance date. Learn more about the second Clearinghouse final rule.
Return to Duty
If a CDL holder is in a prohibited status and wishes to return to duty, they must complete the Return to Duty Process.
Find out more information about the Return to Duty Process.
DACH is a FMCSA program and is not administered by the Iowa DOT. For more information visit the FMCSA clearinghouse website or call the FMCSA information line at 1-800-832-5660 or the FMCSA Iowa Field Office at 515-233-7400.
Get a more detailed FMCSA overview of the DACH process for employers.