Last updated : May 19, 2025
*Updated 2018 DOT drug testing regulations
There are several critical updates to the 2018 DOT drug testing regulations that employers need to be aware of in order to avoid receiving fines, out of service notices, and potentially even being shut down. These include:
- Expanded opiates will impact your drivers and all safety-sensitive employees negatively. Learn more »
- DOT requires your DOT drug testing policy to be updated to include changes made to 49 CFR Part 40 (effective Jan 1 2018) Learn more »
- New DOT Chain of Custody Form (CCF) form is required as of June 30 2018 Learn more »
- Safety concerns will stop your drivers from driving for a 5-day period at a minimum. Learn more »
- Random rates have gone up for PHMSA to 50% of your employee pool for 2018 Learn more »
Expanded opiate testing impact on drivers and all safety-sensitive employees
As of January 1, 2018, all employees regulated by Part 40 regulations will also be subject to drug testing for the presence of four additional semi-synthetic opioids that are frequently abused. These substances include:
- hydrocodone
- hydromorphone
- oxymorphone
- oxycodone
These opiates are marketed under a variety of brand names, including Dilaudid®, Exalgo®, Lortab®, Norco®, OxyContin®, Percocet®, Percodan®, and Vicodin®. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of names. Testing will no longer measure the presence of MDEA.
*Note: This expanded opioid panel is in addition to all of the drugs that were previously included in the DOT drug testing panel.
DOT requires drug testing policies to be updated to include changes made to 49 CFR Part 40
The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) rule, 49 CFR Part 40, describes required procedures for conducting workplace drug and alcohol testing for the Federally regulated transportation industry. Your drug testing policy must be updated to reflect these changes and you must notify all affected employees of the specific changes.
New DOT Chain of Custody Form (CCF) form is required as of June 30 2018
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved a revised Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (CCF). Failure to use the new form may result in an invalidated test, and potential fines for your company and an out of service notice for your driver.
Safety concerns will stop your drivers from driving for a 5-day period at a minimum
Employees with a legitimate prescription for a listed opiate/opioid who test positive will be required to be pulled from their safety-sensitive duties (including driving) for a 5-day period.
Before returning to their duties, they must provide the Medical Review Officer (MRO) with a medical release from their doctor stating that they can safely perform their safety-sensitive duties while taking the medication* or that they have been prescribed a different medication, in which case, they will be required to take a follow-up DOT drug test to ensure they are in compliance.
*Note: This is merely a technicality because from a liability standpoint, no doctor will risk their career by stating someone poses no risk while under the influence of opiate/opioid medications as there is no way to guarantee that.
Random rates have gone up for PHMSA to 50% of your employee pool for 2018
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) now requires random testing to include at least 50% of your employee pool (up from 25% in 2017), in addition to pre-employment, after-accident, reasonable cause, and return to duty drug testing.
DOT drug testing programs
USA Mobile Drug Testing’s comprehensive program ensures full compliance with DOT regulations, while helping to make your workplace safer and more productive. Your customized DOT drug testing program will include:
- Designated Employer Representative (DER)
- Written DOT drug testing policy
- DOT regulations on file
- Previous employer checks
- Employee education
- Supervisor training
- Removal of covered employees
- Pre-employment tests
- Correct Federal Custody & Control forms (CCF)
- Random pool
- Post accident testing situations
- Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Process
- Record keeping
Who needs DOT drug testing / compliance?
Motor carriers
All motor carriers (trucks, buses, etc.) are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Safety sensitive duties
Any Commercial Drivecense (CDL) holders who operate a commercial motor vehicle. Any person who operates (i.e., drives) any commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or greater; or is designed to transport 16 or more occupants (to include the driver); or is of any size and is used for transportation of hazardous materials requiring the vehicle to be placarded.
Aviation
Air Carriers or operators and certain contract air traffic control towers regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Safety sensitive duties
Any person who performs flight crew member duties, flight attendant duties, flight instruction duties, aircraft dispatch duties, aircraft maintenance or preventive maintenance duties; ground security coordinator duties; aviation screening duties; and air traffic control duties. * Note: Anyone who performs the above duties directly or by contract for a part 119 certificate holder authorized to operate under parts 121 and/or 135, air tour operators defined in 14 CFR part 91.147, and air traffic control facilities not operated by the Government are considered covered employees.
Railroad
Regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Safety sensitive duties
Any person who performs duties subject to the Hours of Service laws; such as, locomotive engineers, trainmen, conductors, switchmen, locomotive hostlers/helpers, utility employees, signalmen, operators and train dispatchers.
Public transportation
Regulated by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Safety sensitive duties
Operators of revenue service vehicles, CDL-holding operators of non-revenue service vehicles, vehicle controllers, revenue service vehicle mechanics, and firearm-carrying security personnel.
Pipeline
Regulated by Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Safety sensitive duties
Any person who performs operations, maintenance, or emergency response function on a pipeline or LNG facility regulated under part 192, 193, or 195.
Maritime
Regulated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
Safety sensitive duties
Any person operating US flagged vessels in commercial service, a person who is on board a vessel acting under the authority of a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document.
DOT drug testing regulations
Certified drug and alcohol technicians conduct DOT drug testing and alcohol testing using certified and approved SAMHSA breathalyzer and approved drug testing products. All drug test and alcohol test results are handled in a prompt professional manner.
Department of Transportation resources
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- 49 CFR Part 40
- Revised Federal Drug Testing Custody Control Form (CCF)
- Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance
Regulated by
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
- Research & Special Project Administration (RSPA)
- United States Coast Guard (USCG)
Mandated drug DOT testing
- Pre-employment
- Random
- Post accident
- Reasonable suspicion
- Return to duty
- Follow-up
Current DOT drug screen panel (Updated 5/2018)
- Amphetamines
- Cocaine
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Marijuana (THC)
- Opiates
- Oxymorphone
- Oxycodone
- PCP