• Employers are required to provide educational materials to drivers prior to the start of DOT drug and alcohol testing.
• While not required, it’s best practice for employers to provide refresher training to drivers on a scheduled basis.
• Most training is provided via written company policy, though a variety of written formats are acceptable.

Drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in the United States, requiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL), or Mexican or Canadian equivalent, are subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing.

Drivers include anyone performing a safety-sensitive function under a motor carrier’s authority, including part-time, occasional, or intermittent drivers; owner-operators leased on to the carrier; drivers from staffing services; and drivers borrowed from other motor carriers. CMV drivers are performing safety-sensitive functions based on the nature of the vehicle assigned.

Employees who hold job titles other than driver (e.g., supervisor, technician, yard worker) are subject to DOT testing if the person is called upon to operate a CMV requiring a CDL. It may even be the president of the company. Everyone who is expected to drive this vehicle type must be included in the company training program.

When is DOT driver training required?

After being hired for or transferring into a position requiring a CDL (safety-sensitive position) and prior to the starting of DOT drug and alcohol testing, drivers must be given educational materials that explain the testing requirements.

The regulations do not require refresher training for drivers, but many companies revisit the drug and alcohol topic on a scheduled basis. Some carriers perform training after DOT rules are revised or DOT testing policies are updated.

What topics should employers cover?

Section 382.601(b) of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) requires that drivers be given information in the company policy.

What medium may be used to present the topics?

Many of the components that must be covered with drivers may be incorporated into a company’s DOT drug and alcohol policy. But the regulations do not specify that the elements be in the form of a policy.

Section 382.601 uses the term “educational materials.” These may be in the form of a policy, handbook, handouts, and so forth. Whatever format the employer elects to use must be distributed to the drivers.

The FMCSRs do not require formal training such as a class, video, or online tutorial, but many carriers find it beneficial to hold training, in addition to providing the required written materials. By having a class or going over the materials one-on-one with new hires, the employer is ensuring that drivers are instructed on and understand key points of the DOT testing program.

The drivers must sign a statement certifying that workers received a copy of educational materials. If provided in multiple formats, a best practice may be to identify each in the signed receipt (e.g., company policy and a handbook/handouts) or collecting a receipt for each.