The importance of DOT Drug & Alcohol Compliance
If you drive for a trucking company, you’re probably well aware of the Drug and Alcohol Testing requirements. But if you’re in charge of your company’s drivers and want to stay compliant with federal regulations, then it’s important that you know what those requirements are. This post will help explain why these regulations exist and how they apply to every trucking company.
All truck drivers are required to undergo pre-employment testing and must maintain Drug & Alcohol Testing throughout their employment.
The Drug & Alcohol Testing requirement is a federal mandate and applies to all companies that employ commercial motor vehicle drivers.
The Drug and Alcohol Testing requirement is a federal mandate, and applies to all companies that employ commercial motor vehicle drivers. It applies regardless of class of operation or number of hours worked per week.
The regulations require testing if the driver:
- operates in interstate commerce; or
- is subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires random Drug & Alcohol testing for all CDL holders regardless of class of operation or number of hours worked per week.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires random Drug & Alcohol testing for all CDL holders regardless of class of operation or number of hours worked per week.
The DOT mandates that truck drivers must be tested at least once every 30 days during their employment with a company, but it can be more frequent depending on your company’s policy.
Failure to comply with DOT requirements can result in fines and the suspension or revocation of your CDL privilege.
While it may seem like a daunting task to comply with all of the DOT drug and alcohol regulations, there are some steps you can take to ensure that you’re following the law. First and foremost, make sure that you have a current copy of 49 CFR Part 40–the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). This is the “bible” for all transportation companies and contains all applicable rules regarding CDL compliance. You can find this document online here: https://www1.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/fmcsr/fmcsr-40-title49
The FMCSR is enforced by several government agencies including:
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
