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['Drug and Alcohol Testing - DOT']
['Random alcohol and drug testing- Motor Carrier', 'Drug and alcohol policy - Motor Carrier']
11/20/2023
Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.
Institute
Drug and alcohol policy - Motor Carrier
Fleet Safety
Drug and Alcohol Testing - DOT
Test Yourself Questions
Transportation
Random alcohol and drug testing- Motor Carrier
English
Analysis
Focus Area
USA
The appropriate number of drug and alcohol tests
Often end-of-year calculations for the last random draw leave carriers scrambling to compensate for missed or canceled tests from earlier in the year.
To prevent this from happening, carriers have the option of selecting at a higher rate throughout the year. Even if that is your policy, it’s still advisable to check your status throughout the year. Use the following exercise to determine what is the appropriate number of tests. If testing at a different interval than quarterly, simply adjust the number of selections when doing the math.
| Random testing formulas Required drug tests = 50% x D / P Required alcohol tests = 10% x D / P D = number of drivers in a safety-sensitive position (operating or expected to operate a commercial motor vehicle requiring a CDL) P = Number of test periods per year Always round up to the next whole number. |
First quarter
In January, the motor carrier determines it has 60 CDL drivers eligible for testing.
Using the formulas provided to you, how many names are selected for drugs and alcohol for this three-month period?
Second quarter
Suppose there were 80 drivers who qualify for testing during second quarter. How many names are selected this round?
Third quarter
In July, when assembling the driver roster for the selection, the motor carrier now has 100 drivers. Using the formulas, how many names should be selected?
Fourth quarter
The final selection period of the year is where you determine whether you are on track.
In the scenario, the carrier has 70 drivers in October when putting together its selection. How many drivers does it test?
The appropriate number of drug and alcohol tests: Answers
Answers:
First quarter: 8 for drug testing and 2 for alcohol testing.
| When testing quarterly and you have 60 drivers for the selection period, this is how the calculations work: Drugs: .50 x 60 / 4 = 7.5 tests rounded up to 8. Alcohol: .10 x 60 / 4 = 1.5 rounded up to 2 |
Second quarter: 10 for drug testing and 2 for alcohol.
Third quarter: 13 for drug testing and 3 for alcohol testing.
Fourth quarter: 7 for drugs and 1 for alcohol
It must add together the driver counts for a yearly average: For instance, D = 60 80 100 70 = 310 CMV drivers, and by completing the formula, T = 50% times 310 divided by 4 = 38.75 and rounding up to the nearest whole number, 39 drug tests for the year. For alcohol tests (T = 10% times 310 divided by 4 = 7.75) and rounding up to the nearest whole number, your answer would be 8 for the year.
If all the tests were completed from the previously testing cycles, you should have: 31 tests completed for drugs, requiring a selection of 8 names to be compliant; and 7 tests for alcohol, requiring just 1 name for alcohol.
However, if you had any missed tests (drivers furloughed, on leave of absence, or canceled tests) from earlier in the year, this is the time to compensate and select additional names. Carriers may wish to select a few extra names as policy since the year is almost over, leaving minimal time for a supplemental draw in the event any of the 7 drivers for drug testing and/or the 1 driver for alcohol testing are unavailable or a test is canceled beyond the control of the driver and carrier.
drug-and-alcohol-testing-dot
Drug and Alcohol Testing - DOT
The appropriate number of drug and alcohol tests
Often end-of-year calculations for the last random draw leave carriers scrambling to compensate for missed or canceled tests from earlier in the year.
To prevent this from happening, carriers have the option of selecting at a higher rate throughout the year. Even if that is your policy, it’s still advisable to check your status throughout the year. Use the following exercise to determine what is the appropriate number of tests. If testing at a different interval than quarterly, simply adjust the number of selections when doing the math.
| Random testing formulas Required drug tests = 50% x D / P Required alcohol tests = 10% x D / P D = number of drivers in a safety-sensitive position (operating or expected to operate a commercial motor vehicle requiring a CDL) P = Number of test periods per year Always round up to the next whole number. |
First quarter
In January, the motor carrier determines it has 60 CDL drivers eligible for testing.
Using the formulas provided to you, how many names are selected for drugs and alcohol for this three-month period?
Second quarter
Suppose there were 80 drivers who qualify for testing during second quarter. How many names are selected this round?
Third quarter
In July, when assembling the driver roster for the selection, the motor carrier now has 100 drivers. Using the formulas, how many names should be selected?
Fourth quarter
The final selection period of the year is where you determine whether you are on track.
In the scenario, the carrier has 70 drivers in October when putting together its selection. How many drivers does it test?
The appropriate number of drug and alcohol tests: Answers
Answers:
First quarter: 8 for drug testing and 2 for alcohol testing.
| When testing quarterly and you have 60 drivers for the selection period, this is how the calculations work: Drugs: .50 x 60 / 4 = 7.5 tests rounded up to 8. Alcohol: .10 x 60 / 4 = 1.5 rounded up to 2 |
Second quarter: 10 for drug testing and 2 for alcohol.
Third quarter: 13 for drug testing and 3 for alcohol testing.
Fourth quarter: 7 for drugs and 1 for alcohol
It must add together the driver counts for a yearly average: For instance, D = 60 80 100 70 = 310 CMV drivers, and by completing the formula, T = 50% times 310 divided by 4 = 38.75 and rounding up to the nearest whole number, 39 drug tests for the year. For alcohol tests (T = 10% times 310 divided by 4 = 7.75) and rounding up to the nearest whole number, your answer would be 8 for the year.
If all the tests were completed from the previously testing cycles, you should have: 31 tests completed for drugs, requiring a selection of 8 names to be compliant; and 7 tests for alcohol, requiring just 1 name for alcohol.
However, if you had any missed tests (drivers furloughed, on leave of absence, or canceled tests) from earlier in the year, this is the time to compensate and select additional names. Carriers may wish to select a few extra names as policy since the year is almost over, leaving minimal time for a supplemental draw in the event any of the 7 drivers for drug testing and/or the 1 driver for alcohol testing are unavailable or a test is canceled beyond the control of the driver and carrier.
Often end-of-year calculations for the last random draw leave carriers scrambling to compensate for missed or canceled tests from earlier in the year.
To prevent this from happening, carriers have the option of selecting at a higher rate throughout the year. Even if that is your policy, it’s still advisable to check your status throughout the year. Use the following exercise to determine what is the appropriate number of tests. If testing at a different interval than quarterly, simply adjust the number of selections when doing the math.
| Random testing formulas Required drug tests = 50% x D / P Required alcohol tests = 10% x D / P D = number of drivers in a safety-sensitive position (operating or expected to operate a commercial motor vehicle requiring a CDL) P = Number of test periods per year Always round up to the next whole number. |
First quarter
In January, the motor carrier determines it has 60 CDL drivers eligible for testing.
Using the formulas provided to you, how many names are selected for drugs and alcohol for this three-month period?
Second quarter
Suppose there were 80 drivers who qualify for testing during second quarter. How many names are selected this round?
Third quarter
In July, when assembling the driver roster for the selection, the motor carrier now has 100 drivers. Using the formulas, how many names should be selected?
Fourth quarter
The final selection period of the year is where you determine whether you are on track.
In the scenario, the carrier has 70 drivers in October when putting together its selection. How many drivers does it test?
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Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.