Precision Mobile Testing’s Drug & Alcohol Testing Partnership with The CDL Industry

Attention all CDL instructors and owner operators: We are happy to offer information and partnership with the CDL industry in relation to the Department of Transportation's compliance with the rules governing drug and alcohol testing.

Our CDL drug and alcohol testing guide is a resource that CDL trainers and instructors can incorporate into their training programs to give their students a more in-depth understanding of the laws regulating drugs and alcohol.

This can be a useful tool because individuals who are subject to DOT regulation in the CDL industry frequently lack knowledge regarding compliance. Even though you might not be subjected to all of these tests during your employment, it's crucial to be aware of the laws and guidelines regarding drug testing for truck drivers.

There are six potential circumstances under DOT regulations where CDL drivers will be required to submit to a drug test. Before an employer will let a CDL driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), they must pass a drug test. The driver will not be permitted to operate a commercial motor vehicle if their drug test results are positive.

After completing prescreening and beginning employment, CDL drivers are required to submit to random drug testing. Every CDL driver is a member of a selection pool for random testing and is qualified for testing at any time while on duty, as well as just before or after. These random tests occur periodically throughout the year, and if a driver is called for, he or she must appear for the test immediately.

A company may ask drivers to submit to a drug test if they believe they are impaired by alcohol or drugs. Companies with two or more drivers are required by the DOT to appoint an employee representative or supervisor, who must undergo rigorous training to be able to recognize these symptoms.

Depending on the severity of the event, post-accident drug and alcohol testing may be required. The driver may be required to submit to a drug test if the accident results in a fatality, an injury that requires medical attention away from the scene, or the impairment of a vehicle involved in the collision. Alcohol tests must be performed within 8 hours of the accident, and drug testing must be completed within 32 hours.

Follow-up tests, which are random drug testing for drivers who have a violation but have returned to work, are a part of the return-to-duty process. Over the course of a year, there will be a minimum of six follow-up tests that are personally witnessed.

CDL drivers who have violated a drug test, either by testing positive or by refusing to test, must meet with a SAP and are subject to return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing after completing the SAP's prescribed program. The test is administered while being closely observed, and if the results are negative, the driver is free to resume working.

These DOT drug testing standards for CDL drivers should be recognized to all CDL drivers. Given the regulations, CDL drivers should take precautions to prevent misuse of drugs and should always be prepared for a drug or alcohol test.

Failure to follow Department of Transportation regulations is against federal law, and severe penalties may result. You may be subject to daily fines of $5,000 or even $50,000, depending on how serious the offense was.

To learn more about how you can partner with Precision Mobile Testing to help create an advancd training guide for your course, call and speak to one of our representatives or fill out our form to get started.