DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing

DOT Drug and
Alcohol Testing

WHAT IS DOT DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING?

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Dot Drug testing
Airplane pilots, boat captains, truck drivers, and flight attendants are deemed as safety-sensitive employees by the Department of Transportation (DOT), and are therefore obligated to submit to drug and alcohol testing. DOT drug testing is performed prior to hiring and on a random basis once the individual is in employment. 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 Department of Transportation (DOT) requires random drug testing for employees in safety-sensitive positions in specific modalities. The following are the modalities that require random drug testing and the minimum percentage rates required by the DOT:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

Drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) operating on public roads in interstate commerce are subject to random drug testing at a minimum annual percentage rate of 50% of the average number of driver positions.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Safety-sensitive employees in aviation, including pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and air traffic controllers, are subject to random drug testing at a minimum annual percentage rate of 25%.

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Employees who perform maintenance or construction activities on the railroad, including train and engine service personnel, are subject to random drug testing at a minimum annual percentage rate of 50%.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

Safety-sensitive employees in public transportation, including bus and rail transit, are subject to random drug testing at a minimum annual percentage rate of 50%.

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

Employees who perform pipeline operations, maintenance, or emergency response activities, as well as certain hazardous materials employees, are subject to random drug testing at a minimum annual percentage rate of 50%.

WHAT TYPE OF DOT DRUG AND ALCOHOL
TESTING DOES VERTICAL IDENTITY PROVIDE?

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all trucking companies to implement drug and alcohol testing programs for their drivers. These programs must meet specific requirements, including the use of SAMHSA-approved laboratory. Here are some of the drug testing services that these companies provide:

Urine drug testing: Urine drug testing is the most common type of drug testing used by trucking companies. The FMCSA requires all urine drug tests to screen for five specific drugs: marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP). SAMHSA approved testing laboratories provide urine drug testing services that comply with these requirements.

Dot Drug testing

Breath alcohol testing

Breath alcohol testing is used to detect the presence of alcohol in a driver’s system. The FMCSA requires all breath alcohol tests to be conducted using an Evidential Breath Testing (EBT) device that meets specific requirements. Collection sites provide breath alcohol testing services that comply with these requirements.

Random drug testing

The FMCSA requires all motor carriers to conduct random drug and alcohol tests on their drivers. The testing must be conducted at a rate of at least 50% for drugs and 10% for alcohol, based on the average number of driver positions. C/TPA’s like Vertical Identity can provide random testing services that comply with these requirements.

Post-accident testing

The FMCSA requires all motor carriers to conduct drug and alcohol tests on drivers involved in accidents that meet certain criteria. SAMHSA approved testing laboratories can provide post-accident testing services that comply with these requirements.

Return-to-duty testing

If a driver tests positive for drugs or alcohol, they must complete a return-to-duty process that includes a follow-up drug and alcohol testing program. SAMHSA approved testing laboratories can provide return-to-duty testing services that comply with these requirements.
In addition to these services, Vertical Identity can provide consulting services to trucking companies to help them develop and implement drug and alcohol testing programs that comply with all FMCSA requirements. These services can include policy development, supervisor training, and program management.
Overall, Vertical Identity provides a range of services that help trucking companies comply with federal drug and alcohol testing requirements and ensure the safety of their drivers and the public.
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DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing

WHAT GUIDELINES DO
SAFETY-SENSITIVE EMPLOYEES
NEED TO ADHERE TO?

Nationwide Drug Testing
Safety-sensitive employees must abide by far stricter behavioral standards than other industries. In fact, certain behaviors are even prohibited in accordance with DOT regulations. For example, employees cannot use or possess alcohol or illegal drugs while conducting safety-sensitive functions or roles. They also cannot drink alcohol within four hours of reporting for duty or after receiving a summons to report to duty. Alcohol consumption is prohibited for flight attendants or flight crew members for 8 hours prior to their work shift.
Even if an employee has consumed alcohol the day before their designated work slot, 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 work 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.
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WHAT’S INCLUDED IN A DOT DRUG TEST?

The standard 5 panel DOT urine drug test is used for safety-sensitive employee drug screenings.

THE TEST CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING SUBSTANCES:

  • Marijuana (THC)
  • Cocaine
  • PCP (Phencyclidine)
  • Amphetamines
  • Methamphetamine
  • and MDMA (Ecstasy)

OPIATES INCLUDING

  • Morphine
  • Codeine
  • Heroin (6-acetylmorphine or 6AM) plus also hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone and oxymorphone; these are known as expanded opiates.
DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing

ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS?

Nationwide Drug Testing
Commercial motor vehicle employees may not be permitted to use habit-forming drugs, amphetamines, or narcotics, even if prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner. However, specific exceptions can be made provided there is sufficient reason and documentation.
The employee’s licensed medical practitioner must be knowledgeable about the driver’s medical history, and be able to reasonably confirm that the drug prescribed will not have any adverse effects that could potentially impair the driver’s ability to safely operate the commercial motor vehicle.

WHAT HAPPENS IF AN APPLICANT REFUSES TO
TAKE A DOT DRUG TEST OR TESTS POSITIVE?

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When an applicant refuses to take a DOT drug test or tests positive, they will not be allowed to drive or work in a safety sensitive position until they pass a SAP Program. If an 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 be prohibited from returning to safety sensitive duties and performing safety-sensitive duties. In both circumstances, there is a follow up SAP Program that must be followed in order for the driver to return to a safety sensitive DOT regulated position.

However, in specific cases, employees may 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, Vertical Identity is here to assist you. We are 100% DOT compliant, and offer a wide variety of drug testing programs and services.
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WHO IS COVERED BY
DOT REGULATIONS?

Nationwide Drug Testing
Covered employees are defined by each agency and include 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 function, 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.
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