Registered employers must purchase their own query plans
The end of the calendar year offers a reminder that all employers and owner-operators must complete their DOT Clearinghouse annual queries as stipulated by law. Clearinghouse annual queries must be conducted at least annually for all current employees as well as during the pre-employment driver investigation process.
Employers are required to conduct annual queries for all drivers subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration(FMCSA) drug and alcohol testing guidelines. This holds true for employees who perform any DOT or FMCSA-regulated functions, even if those functions make up only a small portion of their overall job duties.
Clearinghouse annual queries ensure employers or their Certified Third Party Administrator (C-TPA), such as Wisconsin Drug Testing Consortium (WDTC), are conducting proper investigations into current and potentially new employees. Only registered employers and owner-operators can purchase query plans.
WDTC cannot purchase queries for our customers, but we can act as your authorized user and conduct your Clearinghouse annual queries. In fact, owner-operators must designate their C-TPA in the Clearinghouse system.
Clearinghouse annual queries reveal unresolved violations
Queries reveal whether drivers are prohibited from driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) or performing other safety-sensitive functions due to an unresolved violation. The primary objective behind the creation of the centralized Clearinghouse database was to ensure drivers were not changing employers to dodge return-to-duty protocols.
Clearinghouse annual queries fall under two categories: limited queries or full queries. Limited queries require a general consent form from the driver. Limited query consents are good for multi-year periods. Full queries require specific consent provided by the driver electronically within the Clearinghouse system. Drivers must be registered for the Clearinghouse to provide consent and to view the information on their own Clearinghouse record.
In addition to helping customers complete their Clearinghouse annual queries WDTC is also wrapping up the drug testing consortium renewals season. You should have already received your annual renewal notice if you are a WDTC customer.
Please contact us if you have not received your notice or if you would like to learn more about our services. We are offering new and existing customers three complimentary criminal background searches upon confirmation of your drug testing consortium renewal.
About Wisconsin Drug Testing Consortium
Wisconsin Drug Testing Consortium is an accredited, Certified Third Party Administrator (C-TPA), and specializes in DOT consortium management and Clearinghouse compliance; 100% electronic from your desktop portal; a variety of drug testing methods, including urine, hair and fingernails; post-accident testing; pre-employment drug tests; criminal background checks; supervisor training programs to keep employees compliant with DOT regulations; pre-employment DOT physicals; and paternity DNA testing.
Headquartered in Green Bay, WDTC also has offices in Oshkosh and Appleton, Wisconsin. Call 920-393-4168 or visit https://widrugtesting.com for more information.
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