Last updated : December 16, 2024
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 Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse database operating in full swing. This nationwide tracking system makes it impossible for a dishonest driver to pull up stakes after receiving a drug violation and starting fresh in another state.
The FMCSA Clearinghouse began operations early in January of 2020. The administration devised a plan that took three years for the database to operate at full capacity. Until then, employers were mandated to follow pre-employment procedures that included contacting former employers. This was done to discover whether a potential hire had drug or alcohol violations. At the same time, all safety-sensitive employers were ordered to report an employee who tested positive for drugs or alcohol to the Clearinghouse.
Return-to-duty tracking is incorporated into the mix. Once the employee has been cleared to return to work, they are given a clean slate and can seek employment.
Several drug testing scenarios
To remain compliant with DOT Rule 49 CFR Part 40, the DOT requires employers to drug test all safety-sensitive employees under certain circumstances.
They are:
- Pre-employment—Employers must also perform a Clearinghouse search for outstanding drug or alcohol violations.
- Randomly—All employees are entered in a name pool and a specific percentage of employee names are drawn—which is dependent on the total number of employees in the pool—periodically throughout the year. Employees must report for the random drug test immediately.
- Post-accident—A blood test is required to determine if there are parent drugs detected. This would mean the employee is currently impaired.
- Reasonable suspicion—Telltale signs of drug use are documented in advance of the employee being approached about being sent for a drug test.
- Return to duty—Once a driver’s customized return to duty process is completed, the employee is cleared to return to work.
What drugs do they test for?
The DOT drug test identifies the following:
- Marijuana
- Amphetamines and methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- Opioids—including the synthetic opioids oxymorphone, oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
DOT drug testing process
The DOT approved mouth swab testing in May 2023, however, to date there are no laboratories certified to process the test samples. There need to be two of them in order for mouth swab testing to become a viable means of employee drug testing. Employers will be allowed to determine when and where the test will be used.
In the meantime, employees can expect to provide a urine sample for DOT drug testing. They may be ordered to report to a doctor’s office, clinic, or other suitable location. Some employers have a mobile drug testing company roll up on-site or meet drivers at designated locations along their route.
Employees arrive at the test site and produce identification, and should they feel the need, have the right to request to see the technician’s identification as well. They are given a written explanation of the entire testing procedure and, normally, asked to sign a consent form.
The technician provides the test subject with two specimen bottles with caps or lids. These should be individually wrapped or sealed in a protective cover. The employee is then asked to remove any coat or jacket, empty their pockets, and leave their purse, backpack, or briefcase behind. Wallets are allowed to be taken along.
Once in the restroom
Unless specified as necessary, DOT drug testing is unobserved. However, if an employee is reporting for a second drug test, say due to a negative dilute result, the test must be observed. If that is the case, the technician must be of the same sex as the test subject.
The DOT drug test requires at least 45 milliliters of urine. If an employee can’t produce that much urine, they are given up to 40 ounces of fluid to drink and must remain at the collection site for up to three hours in hopes the test can be completed.
Once a test specimen is provided, the employee returns it to the technician.
After providing the specimen
It’s important to stress that once the employee hands the specimen cups back to the technician, it should remain in the employee’s sight constantly. If not, it is a serious breach of conduct and the entire test should be repeated.
The first thing the technician will do is check the temperature of the urine. This must be done within four minutes of the specimen being collected. If the temperature meets regulations, it’s separated into two specimen bottles for transport to the laboratory. The first will contain 30 milliliters of urine for main testing. The second bottle will contain 15 milliliters of urine and will be held for the split sample. The technician, then, seals the bottles with a tamper-proof seal.
A Custody and Control Form is completed. It contains seven copies for distribution. The employee is asked to give their date of birth and phone number. They must also sign the Custody and Control Form and initial the sealed specimen bottles.
The technician will then remove Copy 5 of the Custody and Control Form, gives it to the employee, and the drug test is complete.
A fine-tooth comb
The DOT has provided an employee handbook that outlines the specifics of DOT drug testing. Check it out if you still have questions or concerns.
In short, the majority of drivers realize that drugging and driving don’t mix whether on the clock or off. Using drugs impairs your thought process and slows down reaction time. If you’re behind the wheel in that condition, the risk of causing an accident increases exponentially.
It’s a risk no one should ever be willing to take.
