The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles implemented new federal requirements for drug and alcohol status compliance and began downgrading commercial driver licenses for noncompliance on Sept. 15.
Through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Status Checks, state DMVs will be notified when CDL drivers do not pass their drug or alcohol testing. As of Sept. 15, Wisconsin CDL drivers who are not in federal compliance will have their commercial driving privilege downgraded until they clear their record with FMCSA. With a license downgrade, operating a commercial vehicle is illegal. The commercial driver’s regular driving privilege will not be impacted.
The formal federal rule notes that beginning Nov. 18, all state driver licensing agencies will be required to remove the commercial driving privileges from the driver license of an individual subject to the commercial motor vehicle driving prohibition. Wisconsin DMV’s compliance with the final rule will help keep unsafe drivers off the road.
Wisconsin CDL drivers with the federal “prohibited” status will have their CDL classes downgraded (i.e., become invalid) until they can comply with the return to duty process. Drivers who receive a downgrade letter from DMV should work with their employer and their substance abuse professional to complete the return to driving process. Once the prohibited driver completes the process with FMCSA, Wisconsin DMV will be notified and automatically release the downgrade, which returns their CDL status to valid.
More information regarding this rule and process can be found here.
