Compliance Checklist for Owner-Operators

For owner-operators, it’s critical for your business to stay in compliance with government regulations. Here’s an Owner Operator DOT compliance checklist to help you stay on top of the most common compliance requirements. 1) Drug and Alcohol Testing Owner-operators are required to participate in a Department of Transportation (DOT) Drug and Alcohol testing program. A [...]

By |July 20th, 2022|DOT Compliance, DOT Drug Testing, FMCSA Clearinghouse|Comments Off on Compliance Checklist for Owner-Operators

Converting From an Owner Operator to Employer

As an Owner Operator, when you take on employees, your DOT FMCSA requirements change. 1) Written Drug & Alcohol Testing Policy Owner Operators do not really need to have a written substance abuse policy. Employers do. FMCSA regulation Part 382 specifically requires that employers have a written policy that is distributed to each driver. 362.601 [...]

By |July 14th, 2022|DOT Compliance, DOT Drug Testing|Comments Off on Converting From an Owner Operator to Employer

Opiate Testing and Safety Concerns for Employers

The opioid epidemic presents serious challenges for employers. And most employers don't test for many commonly abused opioids. In 2018, the federal government added what is called "expanded opiates" to the DOT drug test panel. The expanded panel now includes many commonly prescribed pain killers and the result has been an increase in safety concern [...]

Failed DOT Drug Test – Stop Driving Immediately

Suppose you send a driver out with a shipment to a customer, and in the meantime, their DOT drug test results return positive. According to the FMCSA, the employer is legally obliged to remove the driver from their safety-sensitive duties immediately. That means immediately. Meaning NOW. However, with your shipment already on the way, and if you [...]

Are Your Drivers Eligible for Exemptions from Drug and Alcohol Testing?

Remaining Compliant Through COVID-19  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an Enforcement Notice, extending the waiver of random drug and alcohol testing for certain interstate transportation employers involved in the Coronavirus response through Feb.28, 2021. The notice, released on Dec. 15, is part of the agency’s first-ever national Emergency Declaration, in response to [...]

By |January 26th, 2021|DOT Compliance, DOT Drug Testing|Comments Off on Are Your Drivers Eligible for Exemptions from Drug and Alcohol Testing?

DOT to Professional Drivers: Steer Clear of CBD Products

Use Can Lead to Positive Marijuana Test Can federally regulated truck drivers safely and legally use Cannabidiol (CBD) products? The simple answer is “No.” The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have made it clear that commercial drivers who use CBD products may test positive for marijuana, which [...]

The FMSCA May Allow Hair Sample Testing for Drug Screens in 2021

Urine Today, Your Hair 2021 It took an act of Congress and six years of waiting, but at long last federal guidelines for hair-sample drug tests specific to the trucking industry will be made available in 2021. The FAST Act (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act) was signed into law, December 2015,  with provisions for highway [...]

The Cost of Clearinghouse Noncompliance Could Be Your Business

Keep up with FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse regulations or get help, now! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers and owner/operators requiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL) for work, think use of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is voluntary or on-hold. It’s not.  The Clearinghouse has been up [...]

By |October 6th, 2020|DOT Drug Testing, FMCSA Clearinghouse|Comments Off on The Cost of Clearinghouse Noncompliance Could Be Your Business

Alcohol Testing Without a Breathalyzer

In the midst of a global pandemic with confusing and conflicting information about how the coronavirus is transmitted, many breath alcohol technicians are uncomfortable conducting breath tests. Makes sense. Even with precautions, including using a private area outdoors, there is an individual exhaling strongly in close proximity to the BAT (Breath Alcohol Technician). The BAT [...]

By |June 11th, 2020|Alcohol, DOT Drug Testing|Comments Off on Alcohol Testing Without a Breathalyzer