DOT Drug Testing Requirements Employers and Drivers Should Know About
Thanks to modern technology, we can get virtually anything delivered to our home or nearby retailers at any time of year. This is largely due to the 3.5 million truck drivers on the road making sure that all of America’s needs are met. With that many drivers on the road, it’s important to make sure that drivers are operating their vehicles in a safe manner.
That’s where mandatory drug testing comes in. Truck drivers must pass a drug test in order to operate their vehicle, but what are the DOT drug testing requirements? Read on to learn more!
Who is Subject to DOT Drug Testing Requirements?
The Department of Transportation requires any trucking company that employs or contracts with drivers who operate vehicles that require a commercial driver’s license to drug test their drivers. In general, this includes vehicles with a gross weight of 26,001 or more pounds, used for transporting hazardous materials, or that carry 16 or more persons.
If any of your drivers meet any of these criteria, then you must screen them for drugs at the appropriate intervals.
What Do DOT Drug Tests Screen For?
There’s a lot of pressure on truck drivers to get as much driving done in as little time as possible. This means driving long hours and many drivers turn to the use of stimulants to help them meet these rigorous demands. It should be no surprise, then, that the DOT requires trucking companies to test for the presence of stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine.
The DOT also recognizes that truck drivers may struggle with other types of drugs. As a result, the test also detects the presence of marijuana, cocaine, opiates – opium and codeine derivatives, amphetamines and methamphetamines, phencyclidine – PCP.
When are Drug Tests Required?
There are several times throughout a driver’s career in which they must be tested for drugs. First, all drivers must pass a pre-employment drug screening before they can even get out on the road.
Beyond the pre-screening, drivers must be drug tested after an accident if the accident caused the loss of human life. Drivers must also be tested if they receive a citation within 32 hours of the accident due to a moving violation arising from the accident. Specifically, if anyone was injured and required medical care outside the scene of the accident or if a vehicle had to be towed from the scene of the accident.
All drivers with a CDL may be randomly drug tested at any time. If you operate a trucking company, then you must randomly test two or more employees using an accepted selection method such as a random number table. Randomly selected drivers must report for testing immediately.
You may also drug test a driver if you have reasonable suspicion that they may be using drugs and when they return to duty after a positive test.
Need Help Drug Testing Your Employees?
The DOT drug testing requirements may seem like a nuisance to truck drivers and trucking companies, but they’re meant to keep your civilians and your drivers safe. There may be pressure to make a delivery as soon as possible, but using drugs is simply not an acceptable way for your drivers to make their goals.
Do you need assistance with making sure that your drug tests meet DOT drug testing requirements? Contact us today to see what we can do for you!
