Dec 06, 2016

CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

The Federal Motor Carrier Administration is establishing the Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to track and evaluate truck driver’s with violations.

The Clearinghouse will be implemented on January 6, 2020, and will accumulate a database of DOT drug and alcohol violations.

According to the FMCSA, “The Clearinghouse rule requires FMCSA-regulated employers, Medical Review Officers, Substance Abuse Professionals, third party administrators and other service agents to report to the Clearinghouse information related to violations of the drug and alcohol regulations by current and prospective employees.”

Other CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Requirements

Employers will be required to 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 will be required to annually query the Clearinghouse for each driver they currently employ.
State Driver Licensing Agencies will be required to query the Clearinghouse whenever a CDL is issued, renewed, transferred, or upgraded.

The Clearinghouse aims to prohibit a truck driver who has violated the drug and alcohol program, from driving a CMV. Truckers with violations are required to be evaluated and treated before taking to the road again.

FAQs

Will violations that occurred before the Clearinghouse Rule be included?

No. Only violations that occur on or after January 6, 2020.

Can drivers access their own information in the Clearinghouse?

Yes. Drivers will be able to electronically access their Clearinghouse records or determine the status of information in their record at no cost. Drivers will need to register in the Clearinghouse in order to access their information.

How long will driver violation records be made available?

Driver violation records will be available in the Clearinghouse to authorized employers for 5 years from the date of the violation determination, or until the driver completes the return-to-duty process, whichever is later. There are limited exceptions which could result in earlier removal.

What personal information will be used for searching driver violations?

A truck driver’s CDL number and the issuing state will be used to identify.

TagsTruck Driver

Trucker Spotlight - Dakota Caldwell <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em> <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/ts-dakota_caldwell-blog-3.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Dakota Caldwell</strong>, a 26-year old trucker and YouTuber, who's been driving for around 2 & 1/2 years now. He used to be a mechanic prior to driving trucks. He always loved driving and knew he wanted a career in driving someday but for some reason, taxi driver always popped in his mind. Let's get to more about Dakota and how's life on the road. <h2></h2> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3> I have always loved big trucks and my high school girlfriend's dad is really the one that made it seem like it be a good idea and thought id like it. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>In the years that you have been driving, what are the significant changes that you've noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3> Honestly, since I've started driving, I haven't seen much change. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/ts-dakota_caldwell-blog-1.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you decide to put up your Youtube channel?</strong></h3> I wanted to show people what it was like out here - WHAT IT'S REALLY LIKE - and not what I used to watch on Youtube because that was always misleading. They never showed the things I wanted to see that I knew other people would want to see. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Any times when you get lonely while driving? How do you deal with it?</strong></h3> The first thing you lose as a trucker is your sanity. Once thats out of the way, the real danger comes. You begin to love the solitude and everything really comes into perspective and you see the rest of the world from the outside in. But yes, there are lonely times but you get past it when you see that pay check. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/ts-dakota_caldwell-blog-2.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>As a trucker, what are the current struggles in this COVID19 pandemic?</strong></h3> I haven't had any. I really adapted well I think. Sometimes, no shower and no hot food but that happens anyway in trucking. And with the roads empty when everyone was home, I turned more miles than ever. Also when everyone came back out, I've seen more wrecks in one day than I have in my entire life. Everyone forgot how to drive. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What's your favorite Truck Brand / Model?</strong></h3> 389 Peterbilt all day. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/ts-dakota_caldwell-blog-4.jpg" alt=""] <h3><strong>Aside from being a trucker, any other things you dream of doing?</strong></h3> Being one of those tower climber. That looks fun and you still get to travel. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What's the best truck stop for you?</strong></h3> TA. I find them to be the best. Besides of course chrome shops lol. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your pet peeves while driving/trucking?</strong></h3> 62 mph trucks in the center lane, drivers on their phone, and drivers doing a dirty 30 (30 min break on the fuel island). <h2></h2> <h3><strong>We're glad that you use the Trucker Path app on your day to day trucking. What features do you enjoy the most?</strong></h3> What I like most about <a href="http://www.truckerpath.com">Trucker Path</a> is finding truck stops and seeing the driver reviews. Helps find a good place to shut'er down for the night. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?</strong></h3> Look, listen, think, get out, and look. Take your time but never be late and use common sense. It will take you a long way out here. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?</strong></h3> They can view my videos on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8vDkn66ecBiH0-Id70YXow">Youtube Channel, Life Behind The Wheel</a>. <h2></h2> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4IcXV4KrDRg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> <h2></h2> Hope you guys enjoy! <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Oct 21, 2020 • Carriers

Truck Driver Weight Loss [p]Being a truck driver can make weight loss difficult. Sitting in a truck all day and night is not conducive to an active lifestyle. But there is hope that truck driver weight loss can be obtained. Just ask the Dancing Trucker.[/p] [h2]Truck Driver's Weight Loss Journey[/h2] [p]We reach for that second piece of pie staring back at us in all its sweet glory. It's a regrettable decision almost immediately. That feeling of overeating strikes and we are reduced to a food-induced coma. Fear not, there are ways you can stay active to improve your overall health and fitness lke the dancing truck driver “Big” John Drury.[/p] [p]Towering at 6 feet 7 inches tall, “[a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW0wnyHMIwmM-frmCjAvQw"]Big John[/a]” has spent 14 years as a truck driver and is probably the last person you would expect to be a dance instructor.[/p] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/91fEJqgdsnu4E" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [p]You heard that correctly, a larger than life truck driver with a passion for dance that aided in his weight loss as a truck driver.[/p] [p]In 2007, John weighed 386 pounds and was not pleased with his overall health and fitness. John's decision to lose weight came after his cousin lost his battle with cancer at 37, the same age as John.[/p] [p]“We all love food but we can't keep carrying extra weight especially with our lifestyle, sitting in a truck all day,” John said. “My cousin passing away was the first time I got serious about losing weight and seeing his young children at his funeral really hit home and was such a sad thing to see.”[/p] [h2]Reality Check Sparks Truck Drivers Weight Loss[/h2] [p]Motivated by the tragedy, John began his journey to a slimmer frame by walking on a treadmill daily to drop the extra weight he held. His hard work caused him to lose 50 pounds but soon, he gained it all back.[/p] [p]Four years passed and [a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW0wnyHMIwmM-frmCjAvQw"]Big John[/a] was determined to get back in shape. He discovered dancing as a way to lose weight in 2011.[/p] [p]“I found Zumba dance fitness at a local gym and it really worked for me,” John said. “I love music, I grew up with it and I'm a big fan of dance. It's just a big part of who I am regardless of my gender or being a truck driver. I grew up in poverty and dancing kept me out of trouble.”[/p] [p]Truck drivers often receive negative stereotypes for being overly tough and unfriendly but with Big John, that couldn't be more incorrect.[/p] [p]“The only downfall at first was that Zumba classes were 100 percent women, I was the only guy and not just any guy, but a tall, intimidating guy," John said. "It took a lot for me to stay in that Zumba room but in the long run it all worked out.”[/p] [p]Did it ever. After a year, Big John transcended to a modest-sized John, losing nearly 100 pounds and reaching his goal of weighing under 300 pounds thanks to his newfound love for Zumba dance fitness.[/p] [quote]“The motto that I live by is, start to feel comfortable being uncomfortable,” John said. “That is when we grow as individuals when we push ourselves and that is part of what I do to help others now.”[/quote] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/GoOk4HOs21CbC" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [h2]Tragedy Strikes Again[/h2] [p]Just as things seemed to fall into place, disaster struck John's family yet again. In April 2015, John's dear mother Sandy lost her life because of a reckless drunk driver. The shock and loss of his mother weighed heavy on John, causing him to slip back into an unhealthy state.[/p] [p]“It rocked my world, I guess God just wanted her home with him,” said John about his mother. “She was always in Weight Watchers and at the time of her death she was committed to losing weight and walking every day.”[/p] [p]It wasn't long before he was back to the [a href="https://twitter.com/BigJohnsTruckin"]Big John[/a] of the past, gaining most of the 100 pounds he lost just a few years prior.[/p] [p]Time went on and John was able to refocus his efforts on weight loss and used dance to propel him. He started Big John's Dance Fitness, sharing his dance routines with others in the hope of inspiring them to change their unhealthy ways.[/p] [p]“In the long run we are empowered by the weight loss, empowered by believing in ourselves again and the weight loss can go a long way because it affects your whole life,” John said.[/p] [h2]Family is Everything for a Truck Driver[/h2] [p]Currently, Big John is halfway to his goal of getting back under 300 pounds and continues to help enable others to be more active and make their health and fitness a priority.[/p] [p]“The most important thing is those around us; my wife and my two kids, they participate in some of my dance fitness classes and if I love myself I'm going to love those around me that much more,” said Big John.[/p] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/s6yGJEnadD5sc" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [p]John wants his fellow [a href="http://fb.me/truckerpath"]drivers[/a] to know that the best way to start losing weight is to take baby steps.[/p] [p]“We have to get the excuses out of our head that we don't have the time or are too busy as truck drivers on the road. I know better now," John said. “There’s nothing more empowering than losing weight.”[/p]

Dec 02, 2016 • Community

Truck Stop to Provide Thanksgiving Meals for Drivers

Nov 08, 2016