The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that all safety-sensitive employees submit to pre-employment drug testing as well as random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident drug testing. The procedure is well documented from start to finish to lessen the chance of error. Likewise, laboratories, operating under strict protocols, have specific drug cutoff levels set to lessen the Read more »
Compliance
DOT Withdraws Oral Fluid Testing Final Ruling
On Thursday, August 1st, the Department of Transportation (DOT) withdrew its proposed final ruling concerning oral fluid drug testing. It was due to the 19 negative comments received during the official commenting phase which began back in June. It turns out that most negative responses were regarding the training received by individuals collecting the specimens. Read more »
DOT Publishes Oral Fluid Testing Rule Notices
The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced last week that it has published three important Federal Register notices, court decisions, and legislation regarding its final ruling on approving oral fluid drug testing of safety-sensitive employees. If you own a trucking business, you may be looking forward to switching some of your policies and procedures so you Read more »
When an Employee Fights a Failed DOT Drug Test
The Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates drug testing of the safety-sensitive workforce to keep people traveling throughout the country as safe as possible. There’s no doubt that the DOT drug test is worthwhile. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) reported that since the database went live in January 2020, Read more »
What is the DOT Chain of Custody?
The Department of Transportation outlines the process that all safety-sensitive employers must follow regarding drug testing. Employers of the safety-sensitive workforce must adhere strictly to the DOT chain of custody process, as should everyone who handles the specimens submitted for the DOT drug test. Making things even more concrete, collectors, lab techs, and MROs record Read more »
DOT Drug Testing: Everything You Need to Know
If you plan to enter the safety-sensitive workforce, your employer is mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). This administration monitors commercial drivers by way of their employers and rules and regulations abound. DOT drug testing plays an important role in this process. Especially now that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has its Read more »
5 Things to Consider Before Becoming an Owner-Operator
Most truck drivers dream about becoming an owner-operator at some point in their career. The thought of being your own boss appeals to a lot of people. However, not everyone has what it takes to be an entrepreneur. For instance, if you have an issue with either time management or procrastination, it could be tempting Read more »
DOT Releases Random Drug Testing Rates
The start of a new year marks the annual release of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Random Drug Testing Rates. The random drug testing rates equate to the percentage of employee names to be drawn for random testing throughout the year. For instance, if the random drug testing rate is 50% an employer with 100 Read more »