The government’s next mandate, use of a new drug and alcohol violation database by CDL drivers and carriers, is scheduled to take effect in January 2020. FMCSA has been developing this new large-scale database, and plans to provide the industry a first Clearinghouse look at the upcoming GATS show between August 22 and 24, 2019. The Agency has consistently stated that clearinghouse registration will begin this Fall.

New federal hair testing guidelines are currently awaiting approval. In June 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services sent their final rule detailing new mandatory guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs allowing the use of hair follicle testing the Office of Management and Budget for approval. Once finalized, the Department of Transportation will need to approve the guidelines for inclusion into the DOT drug testing rules before motor carriers are allowed to use hair testing in lieu of urine testing.