The Clearinghouse is a national database that tracks serious driving violations across all states

The Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) Clearinghouse is a federal database run by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It records serious violations by commercial drivers — things like DUI convictions, major traffic offenses, and failed drug or alcohol tests — so that violations follow a driver from state to state instead of disappearing when someone moves.

If you hold or are explore for a commercial driver's license (CDL), your record goes into the Clearinghouse automatically when you're convicted of a serious violation. This means you cannot hide a violation by moving to another state or explore with a different state's DMV. Employers, insurance companies, and law enforcement can search the Clearinghouse to see your violation history.

The Clearinghouse does not affect regular (non-commercial) driver's licenses. If you drive a personal vehicle, this system does not track you. It only applies to people who drive commercial vehicles for work — trucks, buses, taxis, or other vehicles that require a CDL.

Key Takeaways

  • The Clearinghouse records serious violations by commercial drivers in a single national database so violations cannot be hidden by moving states.
  • Only CDL holders are tracked in the Clearinghouse; regular driver's licenses are not part of this system.
  • Violations entered into the Clearinghouse include DUI convictions, refusals to take drug or alcohol tests, major traffic offenses, and certain safety violations.
  • Your state's DMV automatically reports your serious violations to the Clearinghouse when you are convicted, and employers can search your record before hiring you.
  • Violations remain in the Clearinghouse for different lengths of time depending on the type of violation, ranging from three to ten years.

What violations show up in the Clearinghouse

The Clearinghouse tracks specific serious violations, not minor traffic tickets. The main categories are drug or alcohol violations (DUI, DWI, refusal to take a breath or blood test), major traffic offenses (reckless driving, improper lane changes that cause accidents, speeding 15 mph or more over the limit), and safety violations (operating a commercial vehicle without a valid CDL, operating with a suspended or revoked license, causing a fatal accident).

Not every traffic violation goes into the Clearinghouse. A speeding ticket for going 5 mph over the limit, a parking violation, or a minor equipment violation will not be recorded there. The system is designed to flag drivers who pose a real safety risk, not to penalize minor infractions. Your state DMV determines which violations meet the federal definition of "serious" and reports only those.

How violations get reported to the Clearinghouse

You do not report yourself to the Clearinghouse. When you are convicted of a serious violation, your state's DMV is required by federal law to report it within 30 days. The conviction goes into the system automatically — there is no separate process or notification process you need to complete.

The DMV reports the violation, the date of conviction, the state where it happened, and your CDL status. If you are convicted in one state but hold a CDL from another state, both states' records are linked in the Clearinghouse so the violation follows you regardless of which state issued your license.

Who can see your Clearinghouse record

Employers are the primary users of the Clearinghouse. Before hiring a commercial driver, most companies search the Clearinghouse to check an applicant's violation history. Insurance companies also search it to assess risk and set premiums. Law enforcement can access it during traffic stops or investigations. You can request your own record from the FMCSA to see what is reported about you.

The Clearinghouse is not public in the way a criminal record might be. A random person cannot search it. Access is limited to employers, insurers, law enforcement, and the driver themselves. However, if you are job hunting or switching employers, assume that any company hiring a commercial driver will check your Clearinghouse record.

How long violations stay in the Clearinghouse

Violations do not stay in the Clearinghouse forever. The length of time depends on the type of violation. Drug or alcohol violations typically remain for ten years from the date of conviction. Major traffic offenses usually stay for five years. Some violations may be removed after three years under certain conditions, such as if you complete a rehabilitation program.

Once the retention period ends, the violation is removed from the Clearinghouse automatically. You do not need to request removal or file paperwork. However, the violation may still appear on your state's driving record or criminal record — the Clearinghouse removal only means it is no longer part of the federal commercial driver database.

How the Clearinghouse affects your CDL and employment

A violation in the Clearinghouse can disqualify you from holding a CDL or from being hired as a commercial driver. If you are convicted of certain violations — particularly drug or alcohol offenses — your CDL may be suspended or revoked by your state DMV. You would then be ineligible to drive commercially until the suspension ends or you go through reinstatement procedures.

Even if your license is not suspended, employers will see your violation history when they search the Clearinghouse. Many companies have policies against hiring drivers with recent serious violations, especially DUI convictions or drug test refusals. A violation in the Clearinghouse can make it very difficult to find work as a commercial driver, even if you are legally permitted to hold a CDL.

Checking your own Clearinghouse record

You can request a copy of your Clearinghouse record from the FMCSA. Visit the FMCSA website and use their query system, or contact your state's CDL program office to request a printout. There is no cost to view your own record. Checking it before you job hunt lets you know what employers will see and gives you a chance to correct any errors.

If you find an error in your Clearinghouse record — for example, a violation that was dismissed or a conviction that was overturned — contact your state DMV when ready. The DMV is responsible for reporting accurate information to the Clearinghouse. If the conviction was reversed or the charges were dropped, the DMV should report that correction to the federal database.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Clearinghouse affect my regular driver's license?

No. The Clearinghouse only tracks commercial drivers. If you do not hold a CDL or drive commercially, your violations do not go into the Clearinghouse. Your regular driving record is maintained by your state DMV separately.

Can I remove a violation from the Clearinghouse before the retention period ends?

Not directly. Violations are removed automatically after the retention period expires. However, if your conviction was overturned, dismissed, or reversed, contact your state DMV to report the change. The DMV can then report the correction to the Clearinghouse, which may result in earlier removal.

Will a Clearinghouse violation prevent me from getting a CDL?

It depends on the violation and your state's rules. Some violations disqualify you from holding a CDL entirely. Others may allow you to hold a license but make you ineligible for certain types of commercial driving. Check with your state's CDL program office about your specific situation.

How do I know if an employer checked my Clearinghouse record?

You typically will not know unless the employer tells you. Employers are not required to notify you that they searched the Clearinghouse. If you are denied a job and suspect it was due to your driving record, you can ask the employer directly or request your own Clearinghouse record to see what information is available.

What happens if my state reports incorrect information to the Clearinghouse?

Contact your state DMV and explain the error. Provide documentation showing the violation was dismissed, overturned, or incorrectly recorded. The DMV is responsible for correcting the record and reporting the correction to the federal Clearinghouse. Keep copies of all correspondence.