The answer depends on whether the random drug testing program follows DOT regulations or is a non-DOT program. DOT has specific requirements. DOT Random Drug Testing In a DOT regulated random testing program, all random tests are supposed to be conducted in the period when the selections were made. An employee selected, for example, [...]
As an Owner Operator to Employer, your DOT FMCSA requirements change when you hire employees. Understanding these changes is crucial to maintaining compliance. 1) Written Drug & Alcohol Testing Policy When transitioning from Owner Operator to Employer, you must implement a written substance abuse policy. FMCSA regulation Part 382 requires employers to have a [...]
Understanding DOT Post-Accident Drug and Alcohol Testing The Department of Transportation (DOT) enforces strict rules for post-accident drug testing. Not every accident requires testing. Minor fender benders do not apply. Employers must follow specific guidelines to determine when a test is necessary. When Must Employers Conduct a DOT FMCSA Post-Accident Test? DOT Post-Accident Drug and [...]
DOT auditors are responsible for making sure employer are in compliance with the federal regulations for DOT drug and alcohol testing. We've compiled a DOT audit checklist that represent most of the records a DOT Agency and USCG auditor, inspector, or investigator will usually request and review during a program review. Keep in [...]
What happens in a DOT Audit? When it comes to FMCSA Drug Violations, here is what comes from the FMCSA: 1: Allowing a driver to operate with a suspended/revoked CDL FMCSA drug violations include allowing a driver to operate with a suspended or revoked CDL. Employers fined for this violation paid an average fine [...]
The regulatory landscape in the transportation sector is changing rapidly. Amid the stringent regulatory requirements, even a small reporting or compliance mistake can land you in legal trouble and result in costly penalties. On top of that, a drop in your CSA score is sure to affect your business’s profitability. This is where a [...]
The FMCSA requires employers of commercial truck and bus drivers to register for the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The deadline for registration was January 5, 2021. Non-compliance could lead to criminal and civil lawsuits of up to $5833 for every offense. The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse regulation on January 6, 2020. This congressionally [...]
Of carriers audited by the DOT, only 7% pass without a violation. And those that don’t pass have an average of seven violations. Fines are usually “per violation,” which can mean a fine for each driver out of compliance. It adds up fast. DOT Regs and Challenges Since its founding in 1966, the U.S. [...]
If a driver receives a failed DOT drug test result while delivering a shipment, the employer must remove them from safety-sensitive duties immediately. The FMCSA requires employers to take action NOW—without delay. However, removing the driver mid-route creates an urgent problem. The shipment is already on the way. You must find another driver to [...]
Remaining Compliant Through COVID-19 The FMCSA drug testing exemption allows certain interstate transportation employers involved in the Coronavirus response to skip random drug and alcohol testing. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an Enforcement Notice extending this waiver through Feb. 28, 2021. Moreover, the agency released this notice on Dec. 15 as [...]
