What Is a Clearinghouse Query?
A limited query shows only whether records exist; a full query, with consent, shows the violation type, date, and RTD status. ← FMCSA Clearinghouse
Short Answer
A Clearinghouse query is a request an employer submits to check a CDL driver's record in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. There are two types: a limited query, which only indicates whether any violation records exist without showing details, and a full query, which shows the type of violation, the date, and the driver's Return to Duty (RTD) status. Employers must run a full query before hiring a CDL driver into a safety sensitive position, and at least a limited query annually for each currently employed CDL driver.
Detailed Explanation
Limited Query
Under 49 CFR § 382.701, a limited query tells the employer only whether the Clearinghouse contains any violation record for the driver, without revealing what kind of violation occurred or when. It satisfies the annual query requirement for currently employed drivers and relies on general or limited consent the employer obtains from the driver outside the Clearinghouse platform.
Full Query
A full query shows the detailed contents of a driver's record: the type of violation, the date it occurred, and the driver's current RTD status. A full query is required for every pre-employment query, and it requires the driver's electronic consent given inside the Clearinghouse for that specific query.
Moving From a Limited Query to a Full Query
If a limited query indicates that violation records exist, the employer cannot see what those records contain until it also obtains the driver's electronic full query consent. Practically, this means a limited query that comes back positive is not the end of the process. It is the trigger for the employer to request full query consent.
Comparing the Two Query Types
| Feature | Limited Query | Full Query |
|---|---|---|
| Shows violation details | No, only whether a record exists | Yes: violation type, date, and RTD status |
| Consent needed | General or limited consent obtained outside the Clearinghouse | Electronic consent given inside the Clearinghouse for each full query |
| Satisfies annual query requirement | Yes, unless it surfaces a violation | Yes |
| Required for pre-employment queries | No | Yes |
Applicable Regulations
49 CFR § 382.701, part of Part 382, Subpart G, establishes both query types and the annual and pre-employment query requirements described above.
Professional Observation
In my experience, employers new to the Clearinghouse sometimes assume a limited query alone is enough for a pre-employment decision. It is not. Pre-employment queries specifically require a full query with the driver's consent.
Common Misconceptions
Misconception
A limited query and a full query provide the same information, just at different speeds.
Reality
They answer different questions. A limited query only confirms whether a record exists. A full query reveals what the record contains.
Why the Confusion Occurs
Both are called queries, and both check the same underlying database, so the functional difference between them is easy to overlook.
Related Articles
- How Do Clearinghouse Consent Requests Work?
- What Is the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse?
- How Does an Employer Register for the Clearinghouse?
- What Does Violation Status Mean in the Clearinghouse?
Primary Authorities/Sources
Need Help Interpreting a Query Result?
If a Clearinghouse query has surfaced a violation, a DOT qualified SAP can explain what the Return to Duty process requires next.
Schedule an Initial SAP Assessment
Reviewed by: Perret deLapouyade, CEAP, SAP
Reviewed date: July 12, 2026
Updated date: July 12, 2026
BOK ID: BOK-0047