New identification process for the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

As part of its new two-phase plan to reduce fraud in its online database, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has begun implementing new identity verification requirements for the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is a database that allows law enforcement officials, employers, and state agencies to quickly identify commercial drivers who are prohibited from operating vehicles due to drug- and alcohol-related violations.

The FMCSA aims to strengthen identity verification to close gaps that could be exploited by “bad actors,” in order to protect data integrity and, in turn, reinforce trust across the industry.

“Safety is non-negotiable at the FMCSA, and that means ensuring the systems we rely on are secure, accurate, and trustworthy,” said FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs in a statement.

The new identification process will be carried out with the help of IDEMIA, according to the agency—a company specializing in secure identity verification, used by the Department of Homeland Security at U.S. airports.

New identification process for the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

“To protect the integrity and security of federal systems, including users’ personal information, the FMCSA is taking strong action against fraudulent activities,” reads the official FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse website.

As of April 27, users registering for certain Clearinghouse accounts must verify their identity through a secure web application. The new requirement will apply to the following users:

• Employers without a portal account
• Consortium/third-party administrators
• Medical review officers
• Substance abuse professionals
• Assistants invited to register under another entity

After logging into the Clearinghouse and selecting a user role, applicants will be asked to:

• Verify their identity before completing registration in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
• Complete the process by scanning a QR code or clicking a mobile link to access the FMCSA identity verification application
• Scan a government-issued ID or take a selfie
• Finish the process once verification is successful

The IDEMIA system automatically extracts the user’s first and last name from the identity document used, ensuring that this information cannot be modified during the registration process, according to the FMCSA.

“This update closes the gap by ensuring that all Clearinghouse user types must complete some form of identity verification. Driver accounts have been verified since the Clearinghouse’s inception through validation of license information,” the agency noted.

Additional information

The new identification system will accept only official documents from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In the case of Mexico, only passports will be accepted as valid identification.

Employers of drivers holding a CDL registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation will have their identity verified through the DOT registration process.

Users who are unable to complete the process online may visit one of the 252 enrollment centers for identity verification.