New DACH Requirements in California Starting November 2024

Starting November 18, 2024, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will enforce federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) requirements.

DACH is a secure online database that provides employers and state licensing agencies with information about drug and alcohol testing violations by holders of Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) and Commercial Learner's Permits (CLP). The database includes records of positive test results, test refusals, and completion of the return-to-duty (RTD) process.

Return-to-duty (RTD) is a process drivers must complete after violating drug or alcohol regulations to regain the right to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).

What Does This Mean for Drivers?

The DMV will no longer:

• Issue, replace, renew, upgrade, or transfer CDL or CLP for drivers with a "prohibited" status in DACH. A "prohibited" status indicates that a driver has violated drug or alcohol rules and has not yet resolved the issue.

• Allow drivers with a "prohibited" status to maintain their commercial driving privileges until they complete the RTD process.

How Will DMV Use DACH?

The DMV will query DACH before taking any action with CDL or CLP. If a driver has a "prohibited" status, the DMV will:

• Deny CDL/CLP issuance, renewal, or upgrade.

• Remove commercial driving privileges from the driver’s license.

To change the status to "not prohibited", drivers must complete the RTD process as required by federal regulations. Drivers with a "prohibited" status may only use their CDL to operate non-commercial vehicles (non-CMVs).

If a CDL is about to expire, there are two options:

• Register in the DACH system, complete the RTD process, and renew the CDL 24 hours after the status changes to "not prohibited".

• Downgrade the license to a non-commercial driver’s license. To upgrade back to a CDL, drivers must pass the knowledge and skills tests.

If a CDL is lost, similar options are available: complete the RTD process or downgrade to a non-commercial license.

To register in the DACH system, visit clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/register. Once registered, drivers can access their records for free, including details of violations and the RTD process status. Violations recorded in other states will appear in DACH, as the system consolidates data for all CDL numbers regardless of issuing state. If your status is "prohibited," it is essential to complete the RTD process to restore your commercial driving privileges. For more information, refer to the DACH Learning Center.

Stay informed and comply with the new requirements to avoid losing your commercial driving privileges.