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
Employers who were fined for allowing a driver to operate with a suspended/revoked CDL paid an average fine amount of $8,991. This is what your required annual MVR check and Clearinghouse queries are for.
2 and 3: Failing to implement a compliant drug and alcohol testing program
A DOT compliant drug and alcohol testing program – which includes a pre-employment drug test, a random testing program and post-accident, reasonable suspicion and follow-up tests, as needed – is not as simple as it may seem. And a failed DOT audit may force you to break out your checkbook.
These FMCSA drug violations accounted for 35.67% of all violations in 2021, with an average fine amount of $7826, some of which were huge, with a number of carriers settling for $20,000-$42,000 for noncompliant drug testing programs.
| FMCSA | Through 3/18/2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | $1,869,490 | $7,082,500 | $6,405,550 | $10,984,580 | $15,226,484 |
| Average | $7,693 | $7,826 | $7,957 | $8,649 | $9,074 |
| Max | $1,869,490 | $71,720 | $77,000 | $143,000 | $102,240 |
| Companies | 243 | 905 | 805 | 1270 | 1678 |
