Each agency under the US Dept of Transportation sets its own random testing rates. As a general rule, rates go up when thee is a pattern of increased positive test results, and they go down when positive results decline.
Effective January 1, 2019, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will increase the minimum rate of random drug testing from 25% to 50% of covered employees. The increased testing rate, which is mandated by FTA’s drug and alcohol regulation, is in response to an increase in the industry’s positive rate as reflected in random drug testing data from calendar year 2017.
See the December 12, 2018 Federal Register for details.
Other Agencies
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) both announced that their random testing rates for 2019 will remain unchanged. FAA rate remains at 25% for drug and 10% for alcohol testing. PHMSA rate will remain at 50% for drug for 2019.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) last adjusted their rates in 2016. They remain at 25% for drug and 10% for alcohol. Industry insiders are expecting an increase for 2020. Stay tuned.
