DOT Drug Testing Things We Should Know

A few months ago I was approached by two motor carriers that received "Unsatisfactory" Ratings during a Compliance Review. This is what inspired me to write this blog entry.

Everyone of us should know -

Not to use a driver the first time until a negative result has be received on a
Pre-Employment drug test. This can be a verbal or written confirmation from your Medical Review Officer (MRO) or third party provider. The DOT auditors are pulling payroll records and logs to find out when the driver first drove for companies and then comparing it to the date the (MRO) reviewed the result.

All drivers must be in a Random drug/alcohol test pool and the drivers selected must be tested within the random testing period. For example if your randoms are pulled quarterly then the tests need to be done within that quarter. Drivers that were unavailable (for a good reason) should have the reason for not testing notated on the selection notification form. An additional random selection should then be made to insure you are testing at the required level.

Cannot use a driver that has tested positive for a drug or alcohol test until he/she has undergone a review by a qualified DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and authorized to Return To Duty. If notified of a positive test result you must remove the driver from all safety sensitive duties, i.e.; driving, immediately.

The MRO must keep the date and time a company or third party provider was notified of the positive test. I have had auditors call the MRO and find out what time companies were notified then compare to time sheets, time cards and/or logs to find out when the company took him/her off the road. If not within a reasonable time period they are in violation and it is an Acute or Critical Violation that could effect their safety rating. As a note, the third party provider if one is used, must also keep the time they notify their clients of the positive test result.

Don't get in a hurry to use a driver for the first time or be slow in removing them from service once you find out a driver has tested positive for a drug or alcohol test, even if it is inconvenient.

Oh and the two companies, we were able to get the "Unsatisfactory" brought up, one to "Conditional" the other to "Satisfactory".