Home – DOT Drug Testing
Anyone designated in Department of Transportations (DOT) regulations as being a safety-sensitive employee, such as airplane pilots, boat captains, truck drivers and flight attendants, is required to submit to drug and alcohol testing. DOT drug testing is performed prior to hiring and on a random basis once employed. Random testing for drugs and alcohol is required by most DOT agencies. In addition to pre-employment and random drug screening, a DOT drug test may be required for reasonable suspicion, post-accident, returning to duty after a period of absence, or a follow-up (such as to maintain an active status after returning to duty).
The DOT requires testing for:
IDentity Prints Plus adhere to all DOT’s testing procedures and regulations, and we provide all necessary documentation and reporting to DOT. We can guarantee that your DOT testing will be done with ease and accuracy.
ID Prints offers Breath Alcohol Testing, an instant method to determine if an employee is intoxicated. The test measures how much alcohol is in the air that is breathed out. The device uses that measurement to estimate how much alcohol is in the blood. This number is called your blood alcohol concentration or BAC.
When compared with blood alcohol tests, breath tests are more convenient, less painful, much faster, and just as accurate. It is widely used by employers, and is required by the DOT. This test only measures alcohol that is currently in the user’s system, and does not measure past alcohol use.
Breath Alcohol Testing is a great way to see if your employee is currently intoxicated. Many employers use this test after an accident at work or if they have reasonable suspicion. The DOT and the United States Department of Defense has mandatory alcohol testing for employees.
We provide instant breath alcohol testing for employees and can work with you and your company to determine a risk solution that works best for you.
Many companies in the United States are regulated by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and they are required to conduct DOT drug and alcohol testing.
National Drug Screening provides DOT drug testing and services to employers and individuals nationwide. All of our DOT drug and alcohol testing programs are DOT compliant and can easily be purchased online or by calling (866) 843-4545.
Drug testing, testing policies, training and consultation are the most often ordered DOT services from NDS.
National Drug Screening, Inc (NDS) provides services for employers regulated by the following agencies:
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DOT Oral Fluid Drug Testing, Collections & Mocks
Anyone designated in Department of Transportations (DOT) regulations as being a safety-sensitive employee, such as airplane pilots, boat captains, truck drivers and flight attendants, is required to submit to drug and alcohol testing. DOT drug testing is performed prior to hiring and on a random basis once employed. Random testing for drugs and alcohol is required by most DOT agencies. In addition to pre-employment and random drug screening, a DOT drug test may be required for reasonable suspicion, post-accident, returning to duty after a period of absence, or a follow-up (such as to maintain an active status after returning to duty).
More detailed information is provided for each of the following:
National Drug Screening provides DOT drug testing and services to employers and individuals nationwide. All of our DOT drug and alcohol testing programs are DOT compliant and can easily be purchased online or by calling 866-843-4545. Easily choose from a one time test or enroll in a consortium program. We provide DOT drug testing programs for DOT Compliance for FAA regulated employers, owner operator truck drivers, private fleets, for hire carriers, and small trucking and bus companies.
There are six main job industry categories, as defined in the Department of Transportation regulations, as being safety-sensitive and therefore required to submit to DOT drug and alcohol testing. These are commonly called DOT agencies or modes of transportation. They are:
FAA regulated employees, which include, but are not limited to air traffic controllers, aircraft maintenance personnel, aircraft dispatchers, air tour operators, ground security, flight instructors, flight crews, and flight attendants. Learn more about DOT compliance for FAA regulated employers
Some examples of FMCSA regulated positions: drovers of vehicles required to display a DOT placard when transporting hazardous material, vehicles that carry over 16 passengers including the driver, and CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) holders who operate commercial motor vehicles that weigh a minimum of 26,001 Lbs. For FMCSA regulated employers, learn more about DOT Compliance.
an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security follows DOT regulations for drug and alcohol testing. Regulated employees include boat captains and as well as any crewmembers operating commercial vessels. Learn more about drug testing under United States Coast Guard regulations
For oil and gas companies working on pipeline, which includes operations, maintenance and emergency response, operators and their contractors are required to submit to DOT compliant testing.
This includes members of employees of railroads including, Hours of Service Act (HSA) personnel, train and engine, and signal service or train dispatchers. Learn more about FRA Regulation 49 CFR Part 219.. Maintenance of Way (MOW) Employees are also required to be in a FRA MOW drug & alcohol testing program – get more information.
This DOT agency includes vehicle mechanics, controllers, operators and armed security. Learn more about the FTA, in particular FTA Regulation 49 CFR Part 655.
National Drug Screening provides DOT compliant drug and alcohol testing for all of the industry categories listed above. If you are unsure about the type of DOT drug test you need, give us a call at 866-843-4545 and speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members.
A safety-sensitive employee can be anything from a pilot or flight attendant, to a bus driver or boat captain. As a safety-sensitive employee, there are much more strict behavioral requirements than other industries of employment, and certain conduct is prohibited by DOT regulations.
Employees are not permitted to use or even possess alcohol or illegal drugs while executing safety-sensitive functions, or while assigned to perform safety-sensitive tasks or roles. Employees are not permitted to consume alcohol within 4 hours of reporting for duty, or after receiving notice to report to duty. For flight attendants and flight crew members, it is 8 hours prior to reporting for service that they are prohibited from consuming alcohol.
Some of the restrictions are more common among other industries as well, like employees must not report for service, or remain working, when using a controlled substance, unless of course it is used in accordance with an authorized medical practitioner’s instructions. Obviously, if an employee is impaired by or under the influence of alcohol, or has used an illegal drug, then they are prohibited from reporting for duty, or remaining on duty.
Even if an employee has consumed alcohol the day prior to reporting for duty, if they still have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or breath alcohol level of 0.04 or more, or in some regulations 0.02 to 0.039, then they are not permitted to report for duty until their next scheduled service period. Employees cannot refuse to submit to any test for drugs or alcohol, or, of course, alter it in any way, or adulterate or substitute their specimen.
The specific Department of Transportation rule concerning drug and alcohol testing for safety-sensitive employees is rule 49 CFR Part 40. This rule specifies that DOT drug and alcohol tests must be analyzed by a SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) certified laboratory, and reviewed by a MRO (Medical Review Officer), and must be done on a federal “chain of custody” form.
National Drug Screening can handle all of this for you. Not only do we provide the services mentioned above, we also provide reasonable suspicion testing, post-accident testing and 24/7 emergency drug test collections. If you need a DOT drug test and you want to be sure you are in compliance, contact National Drug Screening today.
Our drug and alcohol testing centers are located in all areas of the United States. We can also provide onsite or mobile DOT drug and alcohol testing, so if you can’t come to us, we can come to you! As an employer, you may find it much easier and more efficient for us to come to your place of business.
Familiarize yourself with the drug testing requirements set forth by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the regulations outlined in 49 CFR Part 40, which govern DOT drug and alcohol testing.
The standard 5 panel DOT urine drug test is used for safety-sensitive employee drug screenings. This consists of testing for:
All non-negative drug screens are required to be submitted for further confirmatory testing. A confirmation test, is a subsequent examination performed following the detection of drugs in an initial drug screening assessment.
DOT safety sensitive employee are sometimes not permitted to use habit-forming drugs, amphetamines, or narcotics even if prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner, but certain exceptions may be made if there is sufficient reason and documentation. The licensed medical practitioner that prescribed the drug must be well acquainted with the employee’s medical history and be able to reasonably confirm that the drug prescribed will not have any adverse effects that could potentially impair the safety sensitive employee’s ability to safely operate in the safety sensitive position.
If an applicant refuses the DOT drug test or tests positive, they will not be hired for that position. If any existing safety-sensitive employee returns positive results in a drug or alcohol test, or refuses to take a random drug test or post-accident test, they will not be allowed to return to work and perform safety-sensitive duties, and can perhaps be fired.
However, there are some cases where employees may be allowed to return to work after they have seen a substance abuse professional (SAP), have been provided treatment and/or education and successfully completed a negative return-to-duty DOT drug test. For employers looking for DOT compliant drug testing, National Drug Screening can handle all of this for you. We are 100% DOT compliant, and offer a wide variety of drug testing programs and services.
The Department of Transportation requires a five panel drug test with urine and a breath alcohol test when alcohol testing is required. In the near future, DOT may allow lab based oral fluid testing and hair testing. If you are unsure what testing is required to be compliant, give us a call at 866-843-4545.
As an owner-operator, you are required by the Department of Transportation to meet certain drug and alcohol testing requirements for compliance. This includes registering for a DOT consortium program.
National Drug Screening provides DOT consortium programs for owner-operators throughout the United States. Our packages include everything required to be DOT compliant, including:
Our owner-operator consortium programs are the most competitive in the nation. You can easily purchase the package you need online, or give us a call at 866-843-4545 and our knowledgeable and friendly associates can help you find the right program.
Lots of questions about DOT post-accident testing come in every day. DOT post-accident testing should only be done when the accident involves a covered employee and the accident meets the specific DOT agency criteria defined in the regulations. Federal DOT testing is not required for every accident.
It is important to understand that covered employees are defined by each agency and include very specific criteria of who is a covered employee for that DOT agency. DOT drug and alcohol testing should only be performed on DOT covered employees. If the employee is not DOT covered or is not performing a DOT defined safety-sensitive functions, then the employer is not allowed to perform Federal / DOT testing. Employers who confuse DOT and Non-DOT testing are out of compliance and have potential exposure to liability and fines.
Understanding the distinctions between DOT drug testing services and non-DOT or regular drug screenings is essential for both employers and employees. Doing so makes it much easier to implement effective drug screenings at your workplace. To help you in this endeavor, we’ve outlined key areas where DOT drug testing services and regular drug screenings differ:
Federal laws regulate DOT (Department of Transportation) drug tests for public safety purposes. These laws substantially influence the testing protocols, the substances screened, and the legal implications of each test type. Non-DOT screening services, however, are not federally mandated. Instead, it’s up to each employer to decide if they wish to implement a drug testing process unless their state has specific drug-testing laws for employment.
Specific substances are banned by the DOT, and all DOT drug tests must screen for them. These tests cover a standard five-panel screening for substances such as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and PCP. Though companies outside of the transportation industries can choose to test for these substances, they do not have to. Instead, these private companies are free to test for as many or as few drug compounds as they’d like. Some companies add other drugs to the five-panel drug test, such as fentanyl, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methaqualone, methadone, and/or propoxyphene.
DOT-regulated employees undergo mandatory screenings in specific situations. The tests administered at specific intervals include:
In addition to taking place in specific situations, these tests must comply with DOT regulations. In most non-DOT-regulated industries, drug tests may not be required, though they are a useful best practice.
DOT drug tests also follow specific testing methodologies. To prevent tampering, the DOT requires specific specimen collection techniques, up to and including direct supervision during collection. These samples must be analyzed in a certified laboratory to ensure accurate results. In contrast, non-DOT drug screenings might use urine, oral fluid (saliva), or hair samples, depending on the employer’s policy and the test’s purpose. The use of a certified laboratory would always be a best practice for a legally defensible drug test result.
The consequences of failing to follow testing protocols also differ substantially between DOT and non-DOT drug tests. DOT drug testing services are essential for jobs that affect public safety and are thus subjected to extreme scrutiny. If a DOT-regulated company fails to correctly perform a drug test, associated parties may face severe penalties, fines, and investigations. Conversely, a private company could face liability consequences for failing to adhere to its own drug testing protocols.
For employers in the transportation sector, following DOT regulations is both a legal obligation and a critical safety measure. Any deviation from these requirements can lead to major repercussions for the entire company. Don’t risk non-compliance. Choose a drug testing service provider who offers DOT-specified screening procedures.
1) Identify the Need: Determine which positions within your company require DOT drug testing based on safety-sensitive duties.
2)Consult DOT Regulations: Review the DOT guidelines to ensure your company meets all federal drug testing requirements.
3)Develop a Policy: Draft a comprehensive drug and alcohol testing policy, incorporating DOT mandates.
4)Employee Training: Educate employees about the policy, emphasizing the importance of compliance and safety, along with the harmful effects of drug use in the workplace.
5)Select a Provider: Choose an accredited drug testing service provider with experience handling DOT-compliant testing programs.
6)Implement Pre-Employment Testing: Conduct drug tests before hiring candidates for safety-sensitive positions.
7)Conduct Random Testing: Randomly select and test employees throughout the year.
8)Post-Accident Testing: Test employees following any accident meeting DOT criteria to determine if drugs or alcohol were a factor.
9)Return-to-Duty Testing: Require employees returning from a drug-related suspension to undergo return to duty testing; for DOT, this is always done under direct observation.
10)Follow-Up Testing: Implement additional testing for employees who have completed a return-to-duty process. For DOT, these tests are always done under direct observation.
11)Sample Collection: Ensure all urine samples are collected following DOT’s strict procedures.
12)Laboratory Analysis: Send samples to a certified laboratory for analysis to guarantee accurate results.
13)Medical Review Officer (MRO) Evaluation: Have results reviewed by an MRO to confirm the validity of test outcomes.
14)Maintain Records: Keep detailed records of all testing as required by DOT regulations.
15)Handle Violations: Address any positive tests or refusals per DOT policies.
16)Audit Preparedness: Regularly review your processes to ensure compliance and readiness for potential audits.
17)Regular Updates: Stay informed about any changes to DOT regulations and update your policy accordingly.
18)Policy Enforcement: Consistently enforce your drug and alcohol policy to promote a safe working environment.
19)Feedback Mechanism: Implement a system for employees to ask questions or report concerns about the testing process.
20)Review and Improve: Periodically review your testing program to identify and implement improvements.
21)Communication: Regularly communicate the importance of drug and alcohol testing to all employees.
21)Follow Industry Best Practices: Stay aware of industry best practices and incorporate them into your procedures to maintain safety and compliance standards.
If you’re in the transportation industry, you know how important it is to follow DOT protocols. Turn to National Drug Screening for reliable, accurate DOT drug testing services that meet regulatory compliance. Order your DOT services online or call now for immediate service.
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