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Employers who are subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing under 49 CFR Part 382 must create a policy. By providing this policy to drivers in safety-sensitive positions, companies can ensure drivers know what is expected under a DOT testing program before employees are ever tested. In addition, specific educational materials on the effects of drug abuse and alcohol misuse must be given to the drivers when the policy is provided.
Motor carriers that are subject to DOT testing requirements must create written policies. If employers operate commercial motor vehicles that require a commercial driver’s license (CDL), the company is subject to the requirements.
A DOT drug and alcohol policing must contain, at minimum, the following elements (found in 382.601(b)):
Element #6 would detail both oral-fluid (saliva) and urine specimen drug-testing procedures. The policy should indicate what standing orders have been provided collection sites for each testing method. In other words, which testing method will be used for each reason for testing, along with any orders to use an alternate testing method under specific circumstances.
Employers must provide a copy of these materials to each driver prior to the start of DOT alcohol and controlled substances testing, including new hires and employees transferring into safety-sensitive positions. The policy must be given to contract workers (e.g., owner-operators, staffing service drivers), not just employees on the company’s payroll.
The driver, upon receiving the policy, must sign a statement certifying receipt of the information (required by 382.601(d)). Employers must retain a copy of this signed receipt.
Any additional company policies based on the discretion of the motor carrier (e.g., zero tolerance) may be interwoven into a DOT policy, but policies still may not violate federal or state law. Additional requirements within policies must be clearly and obviously described as being based upon the company’s independent authority, not DOT testing regulations.
Employers who are subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing under 49 CFR Part 382 must create a policy. By providing this policy to drivers in safety-sensitive positions, companies can ensure drivers know what is expected under a DOT testing program before employees are ever tested. In addition, specific educational materials on the effects of drug abuse and alcohol misuse must be given to the drivers when the policy is provided.
Motor carriers that are subject to DOT testing requirements must create written policies. If employers operate commercial motor vehicles that require a commercial driver’s license (CDL), the company is subject to the requirements.
A DOT drug and alcohol policing must contain, at minimum, the following elements (found in 382.601(b)):
Element #6 would detail both oral-fluid (saliva) and urine specimen drug-testing procedures. The policy should indicate what standing orders have been provided collection sites for each testing method. In other words, which testing method will be used for each reason for testing, along with any orders to use an alternate testing method under specific circumstances.
Employers must provide a copy of these materials to each driver prior to the start of DOT alcohol and controlled substances testing, including new hires and employees transferring into safety-sensitive positions. The policy must be given to contract workers (e.g., owner-operators, staffing service drivers), not just employees on the company’s payroll.
The driver, upon receiving the policy, must sign a statement certifying receipt of the information (required by 382.601(d)). Employers must retain a copy of this signed receipt.
Any additional company policies based on the discretion of the motor carrier (e.g., zero tolerance) may be interwoven into a DOT policy, but policies still may not violate federal or state law. Additional requirements within policies must be clearly and obviously described as being based upon the company’s independent authority, not DOT testing regulations.