DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing

If you or your workers operate certain commercial vehicles that cross into the U.S. (such as buses, trucks, or a transporter of hazardous materials), you are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) where drug and alcohol testing is mandatory. Certain railway workers, pipeline workers, aviation workers, and marine industry workers may also fall into this category.

DOT regulated employers need to have a drug and alcohol testing program in place to comply with regulations. This includes testing their employees for the following reasons:

DriverCheck has almost 30 years of experience working with commercial drivers and the DOT, ensuring our clients are compliant with both regulated and non-regulated drug and alcohol testing requirements. The DriverCheck team stays up to date on DOT regulatory changes and advancements and can answer any question you might have. We help ensure your organization is fully compliant so your employees can return to their loved ones safely each day.

DOT Oral Fluid Drug Testing

As of June 1, 2023, the DOT authorized employers to use oral fluid drug testing as an alternative testing methodology to urine drug testing. However, this testing method cannot be put into practice until the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services certifies at least two laboratories for oral fluid testing, which has not yet been done. Therefore, DOT-regulated employers cannot use oral fluid testing at this time.

DOT Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Program

Companies that follow DOT regulations must implement a random drug and alcohol testing program. DriverCheck works with clients of all sizes to create a tailored random testing program that meets their unique needs while bring highly reliable and legally defensible.

DOT Alcohol Cut Off Levels

For DOT-regulated employers alcohol testing is conducted using measurement devices as outlined under the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Act (NHTSA). Alcohol screen tests can be conducted using evidential breath measurement devices or Screening Devices to Measure Alcohol in Bodily Fluids (saliva).

A driver who is found to have an alcohol concentration confirmed at a level of 0.02 or greater but less than 0.04 shall not perform DOT safety-sensitive functions, including driving a commercial motor vehicle, nor shall an employer permit the driver to perform or continue to perform safety-sensitive functions, until the start of the driver's next regularly scheduled duty period, but not less than 24 hours following administration of the test.

If the confirmatory level is 0.04 or above, this is a volitation of U.S. DOT regulations, which results in the removal of the employee from DOT safety sensitive positions, until such time they complete the return-to-duty process.

Related Services:

DOT Clearinghouse

Reasonable Suspicion Training

Pre-Employment

Random

Post-Accident (or Post-Incident)

Return-to-Duty

Articles of Interest:

DOT Authorizes Employers to use Oral Fluid Drug Testing

Drug and Alcohol Testing FAQs

Related Links:

FMCSA DOT Clearinghouse