Who is exempt from the FMCSA Clearinghouse?
According to the FMCSA, “Drivers who perform only FTA-regulated safety-sensitive functions are exempt from Part 382, including the Clearinghouse requirements, as are their employers. These drivers and employers are subject only to the alcohol and/or controlled substances testing requirements of Part 655. On the other hand, FTA-regulated entities that employ drivers who also perform FMCSA-regulated safety-sensitive functions must comply with the relevant alcohol and/or controlled substances testing requirements of Part 382.”
Do Spotted Lanternfly Trucking Permits apply to fleets of service vans and other non-DOT regulated company vehicles?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Spotted Lanternfly Trucking Permits are required for all businesses and organizations who will be moving within or from the quarantine zone while working.
More details and examples can be found at Do I Need a Permit?
What is the FMCSA Clearinghouse for?
The FMCSA established the Clearinghouse rule to require mandatory use of the Clearinghouse for employers to report and collect information about a driver’s drug and alcohol history and violations. The Clearinghouse will contain violations per the FMCSA regulations, including any positive drug or alcohol test results and test refusals. The database provides real-time access, helping employers identify drivers who aren’t legally permitted to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), thus further protecting their company by filtering out employees who could pose a dangerous risk.
What constitutes an individual’s need for DOT testing? Does any employee that walks on a pipeline site require a DOT test?
According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) 49 CFR Part 199 defines a covered employee as the following: “Covered employee: A person who performs work on a pipeline or liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility an operation, maintenance, or emergency-response function.” The official DOT document has been attached below for further review. Anything specific or additional requirements beyond this would need to be confirmed by the company operating the pipeline you’re performing work on.