Who Cannot Be A Collector for a DOT Drug Test?

DOT authorizes any individual who has received training specified in 49 CFR § 40.33 to act as a urine collector, and in § 40.35 to act as an oral fluid collector, except in the following situations:The immediate supervisor of a particular employee must not act as the collector when that employee is testedAn employee who [...]

By |December 21st, 2023||Comments Off on Who Cannot Be A Collector for a DOT Drug Test?

As a collector, can I accept an expired form of identification from an employee?

Yes, as long as the ID has been expired for one year or less. DOT offers guidance in the preamble to the oral fluid final rule, 88 Federal Register 27605 (May 2, 2023): “[T]he issue of employees using expired forms of identification at the collection site has been an ongoing problem. As we have advised [...]

By |September 20th, 2023|, , |Comments Off on As a collector, can I accept an expired form of identification from an employee?

When an employee is subject to the drug and alcohol testing rules of more than one DOT agency, which DOT agency’s random testing rate applies?

If an employee performs safety-sensitive functions that would subject him to the DOT testing programs of more than one DOT agency (e.g. FMCSA and PHMSA), the employee shall be subject to random alcohol and/or controlled substances testing at the annual percentage rate established for the calendar year by  the DOT agency regulating more than [...]

By |December 9th, 2022||Comments Off on When an employee is subject to the drug and alcohol testing rules of more than one DOT agency, which DOT agency’s random testing rate applies?

Are Occasional Drivers Required to Drug Test?

The short answer to the question "are occasional drivers required to drug test" is Yes. All drivers that operate a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in 49 CFR §382.107, which requires a driver holding a commercial driver’s license, are subject to the Drug and Alcohol testing requirements in 49 CFR Parts 40 and 382. (See [...]

By |July 12th, 2022||Comments Off on Are Occasional Drivers Required to Drug Test?

Will the MRO report my prescribed medication use/medical information to a third party?

Historically, the DOT’s regulation required the MRO to report your medication use/medical information to a third party (e.g. your employer, health care provider responsible for your medical qualifications, etc.), if the MRO determines in his/her reasonable medical judgement that you may be medically unqualified according to DOT Agency regulations, or if your continued performance is [...]

Problem Collections: Refusal to Test

Summarized from 49CFR Part 40) and adapted to non-DOT collections. We model DOT protocols for all collections. The collector may terminate the process at any point if the donor does not cooperate. No one is forcing you to remain at the collection site. If you leave after beginning the process, it is reported as [...]

Problem Collections: Shy Bladder

Summarized from 49CFR Part 40) and adapted to non-DOT collections. We model DOT protocols for all collections.  The collector may terminate the process at any point if the donor does not cooperate. Urine drug tests require either 30 or 45ml of specimen. If a donor is not able to produce sufficient specimen, the shy bladder [...]

By |March 24th, 2022||Comments Off on Problem Collections: Shy Bladder

What is Direct Observation? Why would an observer be required for a drug test?

It is not uncommon for people to try to defeat a drug test, either by substitution or adulteration. Substitution simply means they smuggle in someone else's urine, or synthetic urine. Adulteration means they add an adulterant to their specimen which can make it invalid. To prevent this from occurring, sometimes an observer accompanies the individual [...]