NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, in accordance with federal regulations, announced that it will check the National Drug and Alcohol Clearing House before issuing, renewing, upgrading or transferring commercial driver’s licenses from November 18.

“What it is is they’ve already committed an offense, whether they had illegal drugs in their system during a random urine test or they were arrested for a drug offense. “alcohol,” said Matt Coatney, administrator of the Nebraska DMV’s driver’s license division. “So each of these violations results in a different type of service program, some drivers might be able to complete the program in a few weeks or others might take a long time.”

Coatney said this regulation would have a significant impact on many commercial drivers in Nebraska.

“We know of between 600 and 700 drivers in the Nebraska clearinghouse who were also going to have to send downgrade letters, giving them 60 days to upgrade to a regular driver’s license or to resolve their issue and get a return to status of duty,” Coatney said.

This initiative aims to improve safety on highways.

“Anything that can help with road safety, especially in the commercial sector, is something that everyone should be interested in,” Coatney said. “I think it’s going to bring a lot more attention to the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, because even though it’s been around for a few years, this is the first time it’s really bite. Now, the commercial driver’s license will be revoked until drivers have completed an appropriate return-to-work program.

Nebraska DMVs hope federal regulations will promote safer roads across the state.

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