Truckers keep trucking and time keeps rolling along—those are two facts you can count on. The Department of Transportation (DOT) brought both into focus when they announced that Friday, January 6, 2023, marks the date that employers no longer need to contact previous employers. The date was set on the opening day of the Federal Read more »
Compliance
Has the DOT Approved the Mouth Swab Test Yet?
On February 28, 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced its proposed change to regulations to allow oral fluid testing as an approved alternative to urine testing in the DOT-regulated drug and alcohol testing program. The DOT extended the public comment period from the end of March to April 29th. Now, it’s October already. Read more »
DOT Issues Strict Return-to-Duty Reminder to SAPs
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a notice earlier this week directed at Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP). Apparently, some of them have violated proper Return-to-Duty protocol. Of course, this puts them out of compliance and subject to disciplinary action. Worse, though, their misconduct may compromise public safety. The SAPs not following the proper protocol Read more »
DOT Extends Use of COVID SAP Enforcement Discretion Statement
The Department of Transportation (DOT) released its original COVID-19 Drug & Alcohol Testing Statement of Enforcement Discretion for Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) and Service Agents (SAs) on April 4, 2020. It’s been extended several times since. On November 29th, the Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC) announced the extension is getting pushed Read more »
DOT CCF Change Soon Takes Effect
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has revised the Custody and Control Form used for DOT drug testing. The new DOT CCF forms are already available for use but the official start date is August 30, 2021. Custody and Control Forms are a required component of the DOT drug test. The new DOT CCF forms are Read more »
BASIC Facts About Unsafe Driving Behaviors
Following BASIC safety procedures while on the road doesn’t seem like a very big deal. If you’re a truck driver, however, BASIC safety violations can keep you from getting behind the wheel. According to statistics put out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), five million truckers share the road with more than 250 Read more »
Sorting Out the DOT Consortium Option
The Department of Transportation (DOT) oversees the trucking industry by regulating the way it operates at every level. That said, if you own a trucking company, you know it’s important to hire safe drivers. And, if you’re an owner-operator it’s likely that you have an impeccable driving record. The DOT mandates that employers randomly drug Read more »
Missing Clearinghouse Deadline Puts Many in Noncompliance
The deadline has passed to submit annual queries or to register drivers with the FMCSA Clearinghouse. Employers in the trucking industry who hire CDL drivers are mandated to meet that requirement. If it slipped your mind, the deadline was January 6th, so if you’ve got drivers out on the road, you’re out of compliance. That Read more »