What types of testing are you required to do?

If you are required to have a DOT drug testing under the regulations for motor carriers found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 49 part 382 and 40 , then there are 5 types of drug and 4 types of alcohol testing you must do when required.

DOT approved drug testing for all drug screening is a NIDA 5 panel drug screen, collected at a complying collection site, packaged and shipped in a complying chain of custody processed, tested at a Federally approved  clinical laboratory, and reported by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) following DOT guidelines for handling results.

DOT approved alcohol testing comes in two types and two approved methods. The initial screening can be done by any Federally approved breath or saliva screening method. However if an initial alcohol screening  test is above the allowed limit, then a second confirmation test must be done using a federally approved Evidential Breath Testing device (EBT). Blood testing is not allowed for either the initial screening or confirmation testing.

Pre-employment drug testing (no alcohol)

The first type of testing is pre-employment drug screening of new employees who are required to be a in a drug-free workplace program. Typically those are employee required to hold a CDL license. There are  exceptions to the rule for pre-employment testing (click here to see the post covering it detail).There is no required pre-employment alcohol testing.

Random drug and alcohol testing

Random drug and alcohol testing is to be submitted to by covered employees (generally CDL holders) who have been selected by a scientifically random method at the rate required by the regulations. An employee who has been notified of a required test must proceed immediately for testing. They may not refuse, interfere with, or tamper with the testing in any way or it will be considered a refusal which carries the same consequences as a positive result.

Post-accident drug and alcohol testing

Whenever a covered driver has an accident that either results in an injury to any party, requires any vehicle involved to be towed, or results in a citation to the CDL driver, they are required to submit to post-accident drug and alcohol testing. They are to have the testing done as soon as possible which can sometimes present some challenges depending on the location of the accident and the hour of the day. There are some cases where if the testing is delayed too long it can be skipped but there is some extra documentation required to explain the delay/omission of testing.

The last two types of testing are both for employees that are returning to work after a positive (or violation with the same consequences).

The first is Return to Duty drug or alcohol testing (depending on the circumstance). It/they must be administered and return negative before an employee is allowed to return to safety sensitive duties.

The second is Follow Up testing. This type of testing can vary in frequency which is determined by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) who makes the determination (following the DOT guidelines) when/if an employee is allowed to return to safety sensitive duty and how often they are to have follow up testing.