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Consortium Registration

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What is a Consortium and do I have to participate?

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), along with the Department of Transportation (DOT), requires that persons subject to the commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements and their employers follow alcohol and drug testing rules. These rules include procedures for testing, frequency of tests, and substances tested for.

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Who's Impacted?

  • Anyone employing CDL drivers to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) on public roads

  • CDL drivers who operate CMVs on public roads

  • Interstate motor carriers

  • Intrastate motor carriers

  • Federal, State, and local governments

  • Civic organizations (disabled veteran transport, boy/girl scouts, etc.)

  • Faith-based organizations

 

The Clearinghouse final rule requires the following:

  • Employers must query the Clearinghouse for current and prospective employees' drug and alcohol violations before permitting those employees to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on public roads.

  • Employers must annually query the Clearinghouse for each driver they currently employ.

 

The Clearinghouse provides FMCSA and employers the necessary tools to identify drivers who are prohibited from operating a CMV based on DOT drug and alcohol program violations and ensure that such drivers receive the required evaluation and treatment before operating a CMV on public roads. Specifically, information maintained in the Clearinghouse enables employers to identify drivers who commit a drug or alcohol program violation while working for one employer, but who fail to subsequently inform another employer (as required by current regulations). Records of drug and alcohol program violations will remain in the Clearinghouse for five years, or until the driver has completed the return-to-duty process, whichever is later.

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  • 1. What is a Drug and Alcohol Testing Consortium?
    A consortium is a third-party administrator (TPA) that manages DOT drug and alcohol testing programs for owner-operators and trucking companies to ensure compliance with FMCSA regulations (49 CFR Part 382).
  • 4. Is a pre-employment drug test required?
    Yes. Before performing any safety-sensitive duties, including driving a CMV, a negative pre-employment drug test is required and must be documented.
  • 5. What does the consortium do for me?
    A consortium: Schedules and manages random drug & alcohol tests Maintains required testing records Ensures compliance with FMCSA testing pool requirements Provides support if you're selected for a test
  • 10. Where can I sign up for a consortium?
    You can register through our DOT-compliant consortium service partner UTL Compliance, which handles: Enrollment Pre-employment testing Random pool management Clearinghouse compliance By clicking the link below .
  • 2. Do I need to join a consortium as a new owner-operator?
    Yes, if you are a CDL driver operating under your own DOT number. FMCSA requires all CDL drivers in safety-sensitive positions (like operating a commercial motor vehicle) to be enrolled in a drug and alcohol testing program — and as a single driver, you must use a consortium.
  • 8. How often will I be tested?
    Random testing is conducted throughout the year. FMCSA requires a minimum 50% random drug testing rate and 10% for alcohol annually across the consortium pool.
  • 9. Is Clearinghouse registration related to the consortium?
    Yes, but they’re separate steps. The FMCSA Clearinghouse is where your drug and alcohol testing history is stored and monitored. You still need a consortium to conduct and manage actual testing.
  • 6. Can I manage testing myself without a consortium?
    Not if you’re an owner-operator. FMCSA prohibits owner-operators from managing their own testing programs. You must use a third-party administrator (TPA) or consortium.
  • 7. What happens if I don’t join a consortium?
    If you're caught operating without being enrolled in a drug and alcohol testing program: You may be fined by the FMCSA Your authority may be revoked or deactivated You may be placed out of service until compliant
  • 3. When should I register with a consortium?
    You must be enrolled in a compliant drug & alcohol testing program before you begin operating. Operating without enrollment can lead to serious fines and being placed out of service.
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