Many CDL drivers panic when they get to Step 6 in the FMCSA Clearinghouse. It sounds like a big obstacle — as if your return to work depends on it.
The truth? Step 6 isn’t something you need to stress about. It’s an administrative step handled by your employer, not your SAP or you.
If you’ve already completed your SAP follow-up evaluation and your Return-to-Duty (RTD) negative test, you’ve already cleared the major milestone — Step 5.
Let’s clear up what Step 6 really means and how it fits into your Clearinghouse process.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the SAP and Clearinghouse Process
- What Step 6 Really Means
- Step 5 vs Step 6 — The Key Difference
- Who Handles Step 6
- Common Misunderstandings About Step 6
- FAQs About Step 6
- Don’t Stress — Step 6 Will Follow Automatically
Understanding the SAP and Clearinghouse Process
After a DOT drug or alcohol violation, the FMCSA requires you to complete the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) process before returning to safety-sensitive duties.
This process is tracked in the FMCSA Clearinghouse, and it consists of multiple steps:
- Select a DOT-Qualified SAP – You begin by choosing a certified Substance Abuse Professional.
- Initial SAP Assessment – The SAP evaluates your situation and outlines next steps.
- SAP Recommendations – Education or treatment plan prescribed based on the evaluation.
- Complete the Program – You finish the recommended steps successfully.
- Follow-Up Evaluation (Step 4) – The SAP confirms completion and makes you eligible for a Return-to-Duty (RTD) test.
- Return-to-Duty (RTD) test (Step 5) – The employer orders the return-to-duty test.
- Employer Follow-Up Plan (Step 6) – The employer manages your follow-up testing plan and reports only the last follow-up test to the Clearinghouse.
What Step 6 Really Means
Step 6 is simply the final administrative step in the Clearinghouse process.
After your SAP confirms completion (Step 4) and you pass your Return-to-Duty test (Step 5), your employer receives the SAP’s follow-up testing plan. They are then responsible for:
- Conducting periodic follow-up tests as directed by the SAP.
- Reporting only the last follow-up test to the Clearinghouse to close the process.
That’s it. Step 6 received the checkmark, is not an evaluation, and not something that prevents you from going back to work. (Although some companies require you to have step 6 when you apply for work with them).
Step 5 vs Step 6 — The Key Difference
| Step | Handled By | What It Means |
| Step 5 | Employer | The employer orders the return-to-duty test. In some cases, this step can be done by a C/TPA for an additional cost to the driver. |
| Step 6 | Employer / C/TPA / DER | Administrative work and reporting of the follow-up testing plan completion. Does not affect your ability to work. |
✅ Step 5 = Your green light to return to duty.
✅ Step 6 = Paperwork handled behind the scenes.
Who Handles Step 6
You don’t need to worry about Step 6 because you don’t handle it.
Here’s who does:
- SAP – Designs and submits the follow-up testing plan.
- Driver – Completes required follow-up tests when scheduled by the employer.
- Employer / C/TPA / DER – Implements the plan, conducts tests, and reports Step 6 in the Clearinghouse.
In short, Step 6 is managed between your employer and their testing administrator, not by you or your SAP.
Common Misunderstandings About Step 6
Even experienced drivers sometimes get confused about Step 6. Here are the most common misconceptions:
🚫 “I can’t go back to work until Step 6 is completed.”
✅ False. Once you complete Step 5 having a negative RTD test, you are cleared to return to duty.
🚫 “My SAP reports Step 6.”
✅ False. Your employer (or their C/TPA) handles Step 6, not the SAP.
🚫 “Step 6 delays my RTD process.”
✅ False. Step 6 happens automatically in the background once you’re already working.
FAQs About Step 6
Q1: Do I have to wait for Step 6 before I can drive again?
No. Step 5 completion — a negative RTD test — is the requirement for returning to work.
Q2: Who updates Step 6 in the Clearinghouse?
Your employer, or their Consortium/Third-Party Administrator (C/TPA). The SAP cannot perform this step for you.
Q3: Can Step 6 cause delays?
Only if your employer forgets to update the Clearinghouse, but this does not affect your eligibility once Step 5 is done.
Q4: How long does the Step 6 follow-up plan last?
Typically 12 to 60 months, depending on SAP recommendations. It runs in the background while you continue working.
Don’t Stress — Step 6 Will Follow Automatically
Step 6 often sounds like a hurdle, but it’s actually a confirmation step for your employer.
Once you’ve completed Step 5, by passing your RTD test — you’ve already done your part.
At Delivered2Choices, we help drivers:
- Connect quickly with a DOT-qualified SAP evaluator
- Complete all required steps efficiently
- Return to work without unnecessary confusion or delay
Remember: Step 5 puts you back behind the wheel. Step 6 simply keeps your record up to date.
👉 Contact Delivered2Choices today for guidance through every step of the DOT Return-to-Duty process — and get back on the road with confidence.
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Don’t Worry About Step 6 | How Step 6 in the FMCSA Clearinghouse Really Works
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Confused about Step 6 in the FMCSA Clearinghouse? Learn how Step 6 really works, who handles it, and why you shouldn’t worry — from the experts at Delivered2Choices.
