FMCSA Clearinghouse Rules Will Take Effect January 6, 2020. Here’s How Employers Can Prepare For This New DOT Regulation. What is the Clearinghouse? A secure, online database that will give employers and other authorized users real-time information about commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders’ drug and alcohol program violations. This is a 3 years transition to …