DOT Drug Testing
The Department of Transportation is an operating administration of the United States administering regulations requiring alcohol and/or drug testing in accordance with 49CFR Part 40 of the federal regulations.
Anyone designated in DOT regulations as a safety-sensitive employee is subject to DOT drug & alcohol testing. What follows is an overview of what jobs are defined as safety-sensitive functions subject to testing.
Industries requiring DOT Testing include:
The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) rules, 14 CFR Parts 61, et al., provides drug and alcohol testing requirements for employers and employees working in the aviation industry. Flight crews, flight attendants, flight instructors, air traffic controllers at facilities not operated by the FAA or under contract to the U.S. military, aircraft dispatchers, aircraft maintenance or preventative maintenance personnel, ground security coordinators and aviation screeners.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) rule, 49 CFR 382, provides drug and alcohol testing requirements for carriers and commercial driver’s license holders (CDL). All CDL drivers are required to get a DOT drug screen. This includes anyone driving a vehicle of over 26,000 lbs. and / or transporting placardable hazmat and any driver operating a vehicle carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver. It is federally mandated that 25 % of all commercial drivers must be randomly tested annually.
The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) rule, 49 CFR Part 219, provides drug and alcohol testing requirements for employers and employees working in the railroad industry. Hours of Service Act personnel, engine & train, signal service or train dispatchers.
The Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) rule, 49 CFR Parts 655, provides drug and alcohol testing requirements for employers and employees working in the mass transit industry. Vehicle operators, controllers, mechanics and armed security.
The Research and Special Programs Administration’s (RSPA) rule, 49 CFR Part 199, provides drug testing requirements for operators and employees working the pipeline industry.
The United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) rule, 46 CFR Parts 4, 5, &16, provides drug and testing requirements for employers and employees operating commercial vessels.
A D.O.T. drug screen is a screen that tests a specimen for five drugs (Opiates, PCP, Amphetamines, Marijuana and Cocaine) A D.O.T. approved chain of custody form is used during the collection process and a split sample is collected and both specimens are forwarded to the laboratory for testing. Once the laboratory completes the testing process the result is forwarded to the Medical Review Officer (MRO) for review. Following the MRO's review, results are reported to the designated reporting agency.
According to DOT regulations, all DOT drug screens must be reviewed by an MRO. Many states also require an MRO review. An MRO is a licensed M.D. with a history of substance abuse diagnostic work. This service is also available for Non-DOT testing, if desired. During the MRO's review it may be necessary for them to contact and speak directly with the donor to verify any types of medication the donor has taken. The client will not be notified if this occurs and will only be notified when a test result is available.
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