Drug and Alcohol Testing Overview

Safety-sensitive workers who are subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and regulations are required to undergo drug and alcohol testing at various points, like after an accident or before returning to duty. Motor carriers are also required to administer drug and alcohol testing before hiring a new employee. To ensure that your company stays compliant with DOT testing requirements, partner with a transportation safety and compliance company that offers drug and alcohol testing services including:

Pre-Employment Testing

Before a motor carrier can hire a driver or anyone else who performs a safety-sensitive function, the applicant must first pass a drug screening. Alcohol testing is not required by the Department of Transportation, but you can choose to administer this test if you want additional assurances prior to hiring an employee/driver for a safety-sensitive position.

Post-Accident/Return-to-Duty Testing

Employees/drivers who are involved in an “on-the-job” accident that causes injury or significant property damage are required to take a drug test. Employees/drivers are also subject to drug testing before being reinstated to a position that the DOT considered a “testing designated position.” This pertains to workers who were placed on medical leave (worker’s comp) as well as those who took extended leaves of absence for personal or medical reasons.

Random Testing

Safety-sensitive workers who are subject to DOT rules and regulations are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. By enrolling in our Clean Fleet Consortium, you can take the guesswork and headache out of determining which employees are subject to random testing. We generate unbiased random computer selections using the criteria established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

HDS Safety & Compliance administers DOT drug and alcohol testing programs for transportation carriers. We can also implement a drug- and alcohol-free workplace program for companies that are not subject to DOT testing regulations. Call us toll-free at (800) 800-7801 to learn more about our drug and alcohol testing services.