New Bill Would Add Hair Test Results to the FMCSA Clearinghouse

New Bill Aims to Add Hair Test Results to FMCSA Clearinghouse

Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) has introduced a new bill that targets drug testing rules for truck drivers. The bill is called H.R. 4320, the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Public Safety Improvement Act of 2025. It would allow positive hair testing results to be reported to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

Why Hair Test Results Are at the Center of the New Bill

The bill would change current federal law. It would require trucking companies to report positive hair test results. This includes results from both pre-employment and random drug tests. These rules would apply to motor carriers operating commercial vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or more.

This proposal addresses a delay that has lasted for years. In 2015, Congress passed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. That law allowed hair testing as an alternative to urine testing for truck drivers. Congress also told the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create technical guidelines for hair testing within one year. However, more than nine years later, those guidelines are still pending.

Hair Test Reporting Requirements in the Bill

If the bill passes, trucking companies would need to submit any positive hair test results to the FMCSA Clearinghouse. These results must come from labs that are accredited by the College of American Pathologists for forensic hair testing. If HHS eventually issues guidelines, those labs would be required to follow them as well.

The bill defines a “covered device” as a hair test device that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration under section 510(k) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

FMCSA would be required to update its rules within one year. These updates would include changing the definition of “actual knowledge” to include positive hair test results.

Backing from the Trucking Industry

The proposed bill has strong support from across the trucking industry. Supporters say the current Clearinghouse only tracks urine drug test failures, which creates a loophole. Drivers who fail a hair test can still look for jobs at other companies, and their test failure goes unreported.

Fleets Already Rely on Hair Test Screening

Many fleets already use hair testing in addition to federally required urine tests. They say this method is more accurate and better at identifying long-term drug use.

Congressman Crawford says, “Allowing U.S. motor carriers to use positive hair test results as actual knowledge for pre-employment purposes not only creates a more reliable way for drug testing but also creates a more equitable process for hiring truck drivers.”

Trucking Associations Endorse the Bill

Shannon Newton, President & CEO of the Arkansas Trucking Association, said, “The trucking industry is committed to keeping commercial drivers who fail drug tests off the road. For 14 years, Congressman Crawford has been a steadfast leader on this issue—identifying loopholes and advancing solutions to close them.”

Steve Williams, Chairman and CEO of Maverick Transportation in Little Rock, added, “A hair test is the most reliable way to know if a truck driver has an illegal drug habit. Congressman Crawford is a crusader for highway safety and his legislation will make sure that truck drivers who fail a hair drug test must get rehabilitation before getting behind the wheel.”

Trucking Companies Want Transparency

Greer Woodruff, executive vice president at J.B. Hunt, stated, “This commonsense legislation will require positive hair test results to be submitted to the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, so other carriers will also have access to this information when making the important decision about who they entrust to operate commercial motor vehicles.”

Henry Hanscom of the American Trucking Associations also noted, “Positive hair tests are neither accepted by nor recorded in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, which means unsafe drivers can circumvent this critical safety check and continue operating commercial motor vehicles. The trucking industry commends Congressman Crawford for introducing this bill that will support our efforts to keep roadways safe.”

Legislation Aims to Improve Road Safety

The bill’s supporters say that including hair testing results in the Clearinghouse would improve road safety. Without this change, drivers who fail a hair test could still drive for other carriers. Those carriers may not be aware of the driver’s drug use history.

The bill would give employers access to more accurate information. It would help remove unsafe drivers from the road. If passed, FMCSA would have one year to update its regulations.

The trucking industry will be watching closely. Many see the bill as a step toward better safety and accountability in the hiring of commercial drivers.