Dot Drug Testing

The DOT provides the regulatory framework that employers who operate under a particular DOT agency must adhere to, and DISA has been helping companies maintain DOT drug testing compliance since the beginning. These regulations cover a wide range of companies and employees in safety-sensitive industries to ensure they're operating safely and responsibly.

Who is Subject to DOT Drug Testing?

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
  Drivers of Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) or those who hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), vehicles are required to have a DOT placard or those who transport hazardous materials.
  
  
• Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
  Operations, emergency, and maintenance staff members.
  
  
• Federal Railroad Administration (FRA and FRA MOW)
  Hours of service employees, roadway workers, "regulated service" contractors, train and engine service, dispatching, maintenance of way, and signal employees.
  
  
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
  Armed security personnel, mechanics, controllers, and drivers/operators of mass transit vehicles.
  
  
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
  Flight crew (including attendants), ground security controllers, and aircraft dispatchers.
  
  
• Department of Homeland Security; including U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
  crewmembers and those operating a commercial vessel.

The following situations require a DOT drug test to take place:

• Pre-Employment
  A pre-employment drug test is required for DOT positions and will occur during the hiring process and before an employee begins working.
  
  
• Random Testing
  The DOT requires quarterly random selections where all employees have an equal opportunity to get selected under the program.
  
  
• Reasonable Cause 
  Under DOT regulations, employers are required to be trained to detect employees who may be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol while on the job.
  
  
• Post-Accident Testing
  When an employee is involved in an accident, regardless if they are the cause or not, they must submit to a drug and alcohol test.
  
  
• Return-to-Duty (RTD) 
  If an employee fails a drug or alcohol test, they must undergo return-to-duty testing before returning to their DOT job responsibilities. It is under direct supervision and must be unannounced for the first 12 months.
  
  
• Follow-Up Testing
  This precedes return-to-duty testing and must be managed by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) for up to 5 years. This is in addition to the standard DOT drug testing policies and cannot be substituted for other tests.

Drugs Included on a DOT 5-Panel Urine Drug Test

• Marijuana (THC)
• Cocaine
• Amphetamines/Methamphetamines
• Phencyclidine (PCP)
• Opioids
  • Codeine, Heroin, Morphine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Hydromorphone, Oxymorphone
  • Expanded opioids was added in 2018.

Drug and alcohol testing was DISA’s first service line more than 30 years ago. With three decades of experience under our belt, we are the leading DOT services provider in the industry. We provide complete chain of custody management from collections to medical review. Whether your business uses one truck or an entire fleet, you’ll be confident that your drug and alcohol program is compliant and that your employees aren’t engaged in substance abuse.

With DISA, you’ll have access to a network of more than 6,000 collection sites and each screen will be analyzed by the best labs in the business. Our laboratory partners are DHHS approved and are dual-certified with SAMHSA and CAP.

Drug Testing with DISA includes:

When a DOT mandated employee in a safety-sensitive position fails a test, the employee must be immediately removed from their duties. Depending on their position, the industry they're in, and which company policies they're subject to, additional consequences like having their license suspended may occur.

To be eligible to return to their position, the employee will need to complete a return-to-duty process. This includes a treatment and education program with a DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), follow-up evaluations, and more frequent follow-up drug testing that must result in a negative test.