Per the DOT regulations after a positive result or a refusal the driver must not be allowed to continue safety sensitive duties. Here's a summary of what you must do next:

• A driver's positive drug screen result will be reported to the FMCSA Clearinghouse by the Medical Review Officer (MRO) and the driver will show as "prohibited" in their  FMCSA Clearinghouse account.
• The employer (or the C/TPA for owner-operators) must report drug and/or alcohol refusals at the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
• Guide to report refusals
• The driver must not be allowed to drive until they complete the Return To Duty (RTD) process.

What employers must do:

• Here's a DOT guide for the Return-To-Duty process
• The employer is responsible to refer the driver to a local Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) who is registered at the FMCSA Clearinghouse as a SAP to begin the DOT Return To Duty (RTD) process. You can find one by googling "DOT substance abuse professionals" in your area.
• The employer is not required to pay for the SAP services under the DOT regulations (though you may depending on your employment agreement with your employee).
• Owner operators must also see a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) who is registered at the FMCSA Clearinghouse as a SAP to begin the DOT Return To Duty process.

What drivers with refusals or positive results must do:

• The driver (or owner-operator) is required to go into their FMCSA Clearinghouse account and designate who their Substance Abuse Professional is.
• Here's a DOT guide for how a driver designates their Substance Abuse Professional in the Clearinghouse

If you are an employer and allow a driver to return to duties under your authority, or if you are an owner operator and wish to continue operating:

• The SAP will evaluate the driver and will require a series of steps for the driver to complete before determining that they are eligible for a Return To Duty screening (RTD).
•  The SAP will report to the FMCSA Clearinghouse and notify the employer (or C/TPA for owner operators) that the driver is now eligible for RTD screening.
• The employer must set up a RTD drug/and or alcohol screening (per the SAP).
• After a negative RTD screening the employer (or their service agent) must report it in the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
• The driver's FMCSA Clearinghouse account will now show a completed RTD process and that they are not prohibited to drive.
• The driver is now allowed to resume safety sensitive duties (drive).
• Guide for employers after the SAP portion of the Return To Duty process
• The SAP will then make a Follow Up (FU) screening plan and will share that with the employer or C/TPA for owner operators.
• When the follow up plan is completed the employer (or C/TPA for owner operators) must report the final negative drug and/or alcohol screen to the Clearinghouse.
• How to report a completed Follow Up program
• The driver's FMCSA Clearinghouse account will then show a completed RTD process.

Services for the Return To Duty Process are available through Mydrugtestingprogram.com.

Please contact us at 219-290-1225 to learn more.