A pre-employment query is the full query an employer must run before a CDL driver performs safety-sensitive functions for the company for the first time (49 CFR 382.701(a)).

• The driver must be registered in the Clearinghouse and give specific electronic consent there.
• The query shows whether the driver has a drug or alcohol violation that has not been resolved through the return-to-duty process.
• If the driver has an unresolved violation, the employer must not use the driver in safety-sensitive functions.

The Clearinghouse query does not replace the Part 40 check of the driver's previous DOT employers (49 CFR 40.25).