We know how difficult it is to keep up with the constantly changing rules and regulations of the six agencies under the DOT umbrella (FMCSA, FAA, FTA, PHMSA, USCG, FRA), which is why our compliance specialists monitor all changes and modify our client’s DOT compliance programs accordingly.

Each DOT program consists of the following standard services:

Pre-employment drug testing

The most critical factor in a successful DOT compliance program is selecting the right employees to begin with, and that means filtering out the bad ones.

Random drug and alcohol testing

All DOT employers are required to conduct random, unannounced drug and alcohol tests to remain in compliance. The total number of random tests conducted each year may vary. The goal of random testing is to discourage substance use by making testing unpredictable, and to identify substance users.

Post accident drug and alcohol testing

As soon as reasonably possible following an an accident, DOT employers are required to test for drug & alcohol for each employee who were performing safety-sensitive functions.

Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing

A DOT employer must have an employee submit to a drug and alcohol test when there is reasonable suspicion to believe that the employee has violated drug and/or alcohol policies. The employer’s determination that reasonable suspicion exists must be based on specific and articulable observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech or body odors of the employee.

It’s important to note that required observations for drug and/or alcohol reasonable suspicion testing must be made by a supervisor or company official who is trained in accordance with DOT regulations. This training is a DOT mandated requirement.

Return to duty drug and alcohol testing

Any employee who has tested positive, either for drugs or alcohol, must submit to a return to duty test before he or she may return to his/her position to ensure that the individual is free from drugs or alcohol.

Follow up testing

Employees returning to duty must submit to follow-up drug and alcohol testing, which is separate from the random testing requirement. The employee must be given a minimum of six, unannounced follow up drug and alcohol tests during their first year back to a safety-sensitive position following the violation.

Contact us today and find out how USAMDT can develop and manage your DOT compliance program.