DOT D&A Overview

Random testing.

Random tests must use a truly random selection process - each employee must have an equal chance to be selected and tested. These are completed quarterly.

Pre-employment

before you start your job responsibilities.

Reasonable suspicion/cause

if one or more trained supervisors reasonably believes/suspects that you are under the influence of drugs. This must be based on observations concerning appearance, behavior, speech, smell, etc.

Return-to-duty testing

required after a violation of drug and alcohol rules. You can't return to any DOT job before being tested and may be subject to unannounced testing at least 6 times in first 12 months. These tests must be conducted under direct observation.

Follow-up

testing that takes place after return-to-duty. A Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) manages the follow-up testing for up to 5 years, determining how many times an employee is tested, and for what substance. These are completed in addition to other DOT required testing.

What do DOT drug tests test for?

All DOT drug tests use the same 5-panel test. It tests for: - Marijuana metabolites/THC - Cocaine metabolites - Amphetamines (including methamphetamine, MDMA) - Opioids* (including codeine, heroin (6-AM), morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, and oxymorphone) - Phencyclidine (PCP)

DOT department safety-sensitive positions: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs), truck drivers who operate vehicles that weigh 26,000 lbs or more, vehicles that carry 16 passengers or more (including the driver), or vehicles that transport hazardous materials and are required to display a DOT placard. School bus drivers.

Who is required to get DOT drug tests?

Anyone designated in DOT regulations as a "safety-sensitive" employee is subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing. A safety-sensitive employee is someone who holds a job that can impact both their own safety and the safety of the public.

DOT department safety-sensitive positions: U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

Crew members operating a commercial vessel. USCG employees: a person who is on board a vessel acting under the authority of license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document. Also, a person engaged or employed by a US owned vessel.

When are safety-sensitive employees required to get DOT drug tests?

DOT drug tests are required in the following situations:

DOT department safety-sensitive positions: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Flight crew members, flight attendants, flight instructors, maintenance, aircraft dispatchers, ground security coordinators, air traffic control Also: either directly or by contract for Part 121 or Part 135 certificate holders, 135.1c, and air traffic control facilities not operated by the government - are considered covered employees.

DOT department safety-sensitive positions: Federal Railroad Administration

Hours of Service Act personnel, engineers, conductors, signalmen, switchmen, operators, or train dispatchers.

DOT department safety-sensitive positions: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

Operations, pipeline construction, maintenance, and emergency response workers.

"Part 40"

The DOT's drug screening rules and procedures are listed within Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 40, commonly known as "Part 40." These rules are published by an office within the DOT: the Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance (ODAPC). DOT agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard write industry-specific regulations that explain who is subject to testing, when, and in what situations. Industry employers implement the regulations that apply to their business.

Post-accident testing.

This is required if you're involved in an accident meeting certain DOT criteria. An alcohol test must occur within 8 hours of the accident, and a drug test within 32 hours.

DOT department safety-sensitive positions: Federal Transit Administration

Vehicle operators, controllers, mechanics, and armed security. Entities covered: Buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, street cars, monorail, passenger ferry boats, incline railways, people movers. NOT school buses (falls under FMCSA)