Clearinghouse issues from 3 years back

No, you should have that violation. It is called actual knowledge, and you admit you tested positive. The work related drug test is required to be reported to the Clearinghouse. It is not a bogus claim or false report.

When the MRO called they would have been looking for a legit reason for a false positive, which you didn't have, since you were taking the substances they discovered.

You will be required to complete the return to duty process (RTD) which involves a substance abuse professional (SAP) and from 12-60 months of direct observed tests.

To get back in a truck you need the SAP evaluation and a clean return to duty test, which if the prospective employer agrees, may also be combined with the pre-employment test. Then, the new employer becomes responsible to make sure you submit to the testing schedule set by the SAP.

Now, you likely have an even bigger problem because since November 2024 all CDL holders with a prohibited status in the Clearinghouse have had their CDL downgraded to a regular license. Also, if in prohibited status in the Clearinghouse a driver cannot operate any commercial motor vehicle, even the smaller non-cdl required ones. It is an out of service violation if discovered roadside.

So, if you want to keep your CDL then you will need to get into a RTD program asap, because most states will make you retest after 12 months of being downgraded, so you will have to start all over again if you wait too long.

You are fortunate that DOT didn't catch you in the last three years while in prohibited status or you would have even bigger problems.

 

Perhaps I didnt understand his timeline correctly. He said he got popped while on a work related injury? If so, this may not be so simple. It may have been a post injury test, but he already started medicating with a prescription he had.

 

A Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) will have to: If the SAP determines the treatment was successful, the SAP will send a report of compliance to your employer. Your employer (or a future employer) can then order a return-to-duty test, which must be negative.
The DOT Return-To-Duty Process - SAPlist
www.saplist.com/for-employees/return-to-duty-process/
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FAQs for SAPs - SAPlist

 

Step 5 of the FMCSA Clearinghouse is crucial for drivers returning to duty after a violation. It involves completing the return-to-duty (RTD) process with a DOT qualified substance abuse professional (SAP)

 

Do you have access to the medical records for that time? You will need them.
Get with the prescriber and have them generate a letter stating that the medication was prescribed, and that it is a low enough dose as to not impair your ability to work.
File a DataQ on the clearinghouse report. Get the case number.
Next thing is to locate and contact the DOT/FMCSA field office that handles the state you live in.
Work with the local agent to try to resolve this. They are going to want the medical records and will follow up with the MRO to determine what happened.

 

This is not going to happen overnight. Get the DataQ filed asap. Get in touch with the field office as soon as you can after filling the DataQ. They may be able to get you a waiver to drive/work while this sorts out. Probably need to keep your current employer in this loop as well. They will need copies of any correspondence regarding this for their records.