• Pre-employment alcohol testing is optional and must meet specific conditions according to FMCSA requirements.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) pre-employment alcohol testing is not required, but employers may perform optional testing so long as the following conditions are met (382.301(d)):

• The test must be performed after making a contingent offer of employment or transfer;
• The test must be conducted before the first performance of safety-sensitive functions by every covered employee (whether a new employee or someone who has transferred to a position involving safety-sensitive functions);
• All employees performing safety-sensitive functions must be treated the same for the purpose of pre-employment alcohol testing;
• The tests must use the DOT alcohol testing procedures (DOT forms, NHTSA-approved equipment, trained technicians, etc.); and
• Covered employees may not begin performing safety-sensitive functions unless driver test results indicate an alcohol concentration of less than 0.04.