Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Drug and Alcohol Testing
DOT Compliance and Testing Services
Rules and regulations change. We keep you updated at all times. We are also very proactive to make sure that you are in full compliance. We are there in case an audit is being conducted.
Our services include:
- FMCSA Clearinghouse Management
- Compliance Support
- Employee and Supervisor Training
- Pre-Employment and Random Testing
- On-Site Testing
- Mobile unit available for special occasions
- 24/7 Post Accident Testing
- 24/7 Reasonable Suspicion Testing
- Policies
- Return to Duty & Follow-Up Testing
- MRO Services and Support (4 physicians plus support staff)
- Random Selection Program Management
- Consortium Management
- Electronic Scheduling & CCFs (paperless including for DOT testing)
DOT Testing Authorities
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):
Regulates drug and alcohol testing for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, including those operating trucks and buses.
- Requires drug and alcohol testing for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers operating vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, or vehicles transporting hazardous materials.
- Mandates pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing.
- Specifies cutoff levels for drugs and alcohol and outlines procedures for testing, including chain of custody requirements.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
Oversees drug and alcohol testing for aviation-related personnel, such as pilots, flight attendants, and aircraft maintenance personnel.
- Regulates drug and alcohol testing for aviation employees, including pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and air traffic controllers.
- Requires pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty testing.
- Sets specific regulations regarding the types of drugs tested for, testing methods, and reporting procedures.
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA):
Regulates drug and alcohol testing for railroad employees involved in safety-sensitive positions, including train crews, dispatchers, and signal maintainers.
- Governs drug and alcohol testing for railroad employees in safety-sensitive positions, including train crews, dispatchers, and signal maintainers.
- Requires pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty testing.
- Establishes procedures for testing, including specimen collection, laboratory testing, and result reporting.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA):
Manages drug and alcohol testing requirements for transit operators, including bus drivers and rail transit operators.
- Oversees drug and alcohol testing for transit operators, including bus drivers and rail transit operators.
- Similar to FMCSA and FRA, requires pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing.
- Provides guidelines for testing procedures and result reporting.
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA):
Oversees drug and alcohol testing for employees involved in the transportation of hazardous materials via pipelines or other means.
- Manages drug and alcohol testing for employees involved in the transportation of hazardous materials via pipelines or other means.
- Requires drug and alcohol testing for employees in safety-sensitive positions, with specific regulations regarding testing procedures and result reporting.
United States Coast Guard (USCG):
Regulates drug and alcohol testing for maritime personnel, including commercial vessel crew members and operators.
- Regulates drug and alcohol testing for maritime personnel, including commercial vessel crew members and operators.
- Mandates drug and alcohol testing for certain positions, such as vessel masters, officers, and crewmembers on vessels subject to inspection.
Which substances are tested?
DOT drug tests require laboratory testing for the following five classes of drugs:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opioids
- Amphetamines and methamphetamines
- Phencyclidine – PCP
The DOT testing at HHS-certified laboratories is a 5-panel drug test regimen. As of January 1, 2018, the ‘Opiates’ category was renamed ‘Opioids’.
Under ‘Opioids’, previously ‘Opiates’, DOT testing will continue to include confirmatory testing, when appropriate, for Codeine, Morphine, and 6-AM (heroin). The DOT added initial and confirmatory testing for the semi-synthetic opioids Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, and Oxymorphone to this Opioids group. Some brand names for the semi-synthetic opioids include OxyContin®, Percodan®, Percocet®, Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®, Dilaudid®, Exalgo®.
Under Amphetamines, DOT testing includes confirmatory testing, when appropriate, for Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, MDMA, and MDA. To this Amphetamines group, we added initial testing for MDA and removed testing for MDEA.
Since January 1st, 2018, the DOT requires confirmation testing for 14 drugs under a 5‑panel test. Broken out, as follows:
- Marijuana (THC)
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Amphetamine
- Methamphetamine
- MDMA
- MDA
- Opioids
- Codeine
- Morphine
- 6-AM (heroin)
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
Drug cutoff concentrations can be found on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Web site.
DOT alcohol tests identify alcohol concentration of 0.02 and greater.
2024 DOT Random Testing Rates
The following chart outlines the annual minimum drug and alcohol random testing rates established within DOT Agencies for 2024.
| DOT Agency | 2024 Random Drug Testing Rate | 2024 Random Alcohol Testing Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [FMCSA] The random rates did not change for 2024. Because the random rates did not change, FMCSA is not required to publish a notice in the Federal Register. The rate last changed in 2020. | 50% | 10% |
| Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] 2024 Random Rate Federal Register Notice 2024 Federal Register Notice – Correction | 25% | 10% |
| Federal Railroad Administration [FRA] 2024 Random Rate Federal Register Notice | 25% – Covered Service 25% – Maintenance of Way 50% – Mechanical | 10% – Covered Service 10% – Maintenance of Way 25% – Mechanical |
| Federal Transit Administration [FTA] 2024 Random Rate Federal Register Notice | 50% | 10% |
| Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [PHMSA] 2024 Random Rate Federal Register Notice | 25% | N/A |
Post-Accident Testing Time Frames
| DOT Agency | Specimen Type | Time Frame for Collection |
|---|---|---|
| FMCSA, FAA, FTA, PHMSA, USCG | Urine for drug testing. | Up to 32 hours from time of event. |
| FMCSA, FAA, FTA, PHMSA | Saliva or breath for alcohol; breath for alcohol confirmation testing. | Within 2 hours, but cannot exceed 8 hours from time of event. |
| FRA | Urine for drug testing. Blood for grug and alcohol testing. | Up to 4 hours from time of event, but many exceed time frame to collect specimen – in every case, a blood and urine specimen must be collected. |
| USCG | Breath, Saliva, or Blood for alcohol testing. | Within 2 hour of the event. Up to 8 hours may be allowed if there are safety concerns to be addressed. |
FMCSA Post-Accident Testing Criteria
| Type of accident Involved | Citation issued to the CMV driver | Post accident testing required |
|---|---|---|
| Human fatality | YES NO | YES NO |
| Bodily injury with immediate medical treatment away from scene | YES NO | YES NO |
| Disabling damage to any motor vehicle requiring tow away | YES NO | YES NO |