DOT Background
Checks
WHAT IS A DOT 40.25 BACKGROUND CHECK?
For applicants seeking safety-sensitive positions, all US DOT-regulated employers should attempt to obtain drug and alcohol testing records from DOT-regulated employers. This is NOT the same as a criminal background check.
As the employer, you must:
- Obtain the applicant’s written permission to release information.
- Submit the applicant’s written consent, along with a request for information, to each DOT-regulated employer who employed the applicant in the previous two years. The following details must be requested:
- Alcohol tests yielding a 0.04 or higher alcohol concentration
- Positive drug tests that have been verified
- Test refusals (including verified adulterated or substituted drug test results)
OTHER DOT AGENCY DRUG AND ALCOHOL
REGULATIONS VIOLATIONS
- Maintain a confidential written record of the information you obtain or your good faith efforts to obtain it. Making an effort to do follow-up phone calls or sending a reminder notice illustrates a good faith effort.
- If yes, the applicant must provide documentation of successful completion of an SAP evaluation and prescribed treatment plan.
- If you are requested to provide information regarding a previous employee and the employee has provided written consent, you are required to provide the requested information. The information must be released in a confidential manner, and you must maintain a written record of the information released.
If the applicant has violated a DOT drug or alcohol regulation, you must obtain documentation of successful completion of the DOT return-to-duty process.
Use this form for 40.25 compliance and DOT previous employer checks.