DOT Substance Abuse and Alcohol Testing

 Pre-Employment Testing 

• Required before a safety-sensitive employee performs DOT-covered duties. 
• Urine specimen only. 

Random Testing 

• Conducted on an unannounced, scientifically random basis throughout the year. 
• Employees must proceed immediately to testing when notified. 

Reasonable Suspicion Testing 

• Conducted when a trained supervisor observes specific signs of drug or alcohol use. 
• Drug testing requires observations of drug-related indicators. 
• Alcohol testing requires observations consistent with alcohol misuse. 

Post-Accident Testing 

• Required following certain qualifying accidents, depending on the DOT agency (FMCSA, FAA, FTA, FRA, PHMSA, or USCG). 
• Includes drug and/or alcohol testing based on regulatory criteria. 

Return-to-Duty Testing 

• Required after a DOT violation and successful completion of the evaluation and treatment process prescribed by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). 
• Must be directly observed for drug testing. 

Follow-Up Testing 

• Conducted after an employee returns to safety-sensitive duties. 
• Ordered by the SAP. 
• Unannounced and directly observed for drug testing. 
• Minimum of six tests in the first 12 months, with testing continuing for up to five years if directed by the SAP.

DOT urine drug testing screens for:

• Marijuana Metabolites (THC) 
• Cocaine Metabolites 
• Amphetamines 
  • Amphetamine 
  • Methamphetamine 
  • MDMA (Ecstasy) 
  • MDA 
• Opiates/Opioids 
  • Codeine 
  • Morphine 
  • Heroin (6-AM) 
  • Hydrocodone 
  • Hydromorphone 
  • Oxycodone 
  • Oxymorphone 
• Phencyclidine (PCP)

• FMCSA – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• FAA – Federal Aviation Administration
• FTA – Federal Transit Administration
• FRA – Federal Railroad Administration
• PHMSA – Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
• USCG – United States Coast Guard 

• Evidential Breath Testing (EBT) – Primary DOT-approved method using an approved Evidential Breath Testing device. 
• Alcohol Screening Test (AST) – Initial screening using an approved screening device. 
• Confirmation Alcohol Test – Required if the screening result is 0.02 BAC or greater, using an EBT after the required waiting period.