Everything You Need to Know about DOT Screening Needs
DOT or Department of Transportation, testing is a means to ensure that drivers and owners operators of commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses, and taxis are healthy and drug-free while on the job. DOT screening can be a confusing topic, particularly for new employers, owner-operators, and HR teams who have never dealt with it before. In this blog post, we will cover everything you need to know about DOT screening needs, including key terms like DOT drug screens, 5-panel tests, oral fluid drug testing, medical review officers, FMCSA clearinghouses, and more. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of a DOT program, including what you need to do to ensure that your drivers and operators are DOT compliant.
Need to order a DOT Service Today? Contact our knowledgeable Support Staff at 844-573-8378 or support@workplacescreening.com or press on link to order now: https://workplacescreening.com/
What is DOT Drug Screen?
A DOT drug test is performed to detect the presence of illegal substances that can impair your ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safely. These tests typically use urine samples, but they can also use Oral Fluid testing or saliva samples to test for a variety of illegal drugs. Drugs that are tested include cocaine, amphetamines, marijuana, PCP, and opiates. DOT drug tests aren’t performed just once; they are vital to ensure that employees remain drug-free throughout their employment. Orla fluids were approved in 2023. However, 3 important items must be accomplished before the first DOT oral fluid sample can be tested.
- FDA must approve oral fluid device
- 2 labs utilizing the same FDA approved device must
- 3. DOT collectors must be trained and certified to perform DOT Oral Fluid Collecitos.
What is a 5 panel test?
The DOT requires drug tests to be performed using a 5-panel test. This test checks for five different categories of drugs, such as cocaine, marijuana, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), and amphetamines. A 5-panel test meets the minimum requirement needed to comply with DOT regulations. However, companies can opt for a more extensive panel test to meet their specific needs if done for non-dot purposes and done on a separate non-dot form.
Oral Fluid Drug Testing
Oral fluid drug testing or saliva drug testing screens for recent exposures to drugs. A saliva test can detect if a person has used several different types of drugs, including alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and opioids. Saliva testing is a fast and affordable alternative to other types of drug testing, and it is also very sensitive, which means it can detect even low levels of drugs in your system. Oral Fluids have been approved for DOT use in 2023. However, a few items must be accomplished in order for DOT Oral Fluids to be utilized. It will likely be during 2024 or 2025 before Oral Fluids becomes a reality for DOT testing.
The Medical Review Officer (MRO)
A medical review officer (MRO) is responsible for reviewing drug test results and ensuring the test is performed accurately. MROs are licensed physicians with knowledge of substance abuse, drug detection periods, and testing technologies. An MRO must contact the employee if the test comes back positive to ensure that the results are legitimate and to give the employee an opportunity to explain the positive result. If the employee does have a legitimate prescription and there is no safety sensitive concern, then the MRO will change the result to negative. If there is a Safety Concern, the MRO will contact the employer to explain the issue with safety concern.
FMCSA Clearinghouse
The FMCSA Clearinghouse is a database that collects and maintains records of positive drug and alcohol tests, and other issues. DOT drug tests of commercial drivers. The clearinghouse will be used to verify that drivers who have engaged in substance misuse do not drive commercial vehicles until they complete the necessary steps to return to duty. The Clearinghouse is a critical solution to make our highways safer for everyone. Drivers must be registered in the clearinghouse to operate CMVs, and employers are responsible for mandated reporting as well as performing a pre-employment query on each new driver and an annual query on all drivers each year.
If you have already started using the Clearinghouse DOT, all of your existing drivers are required to report to it. The Clearinghouse is designed to ensure that CMV companies know immediately when a driver fails a DOT drug test administered by them, as well as any failed tests conducted by another company. Though owner-operators, one-truck operators, and small carriers appear to have had the most critical compliance issues so far. Many Owner-operators seem to be confused on how to register. If you need assistance with the FMCSA Clearinghouse, WSI offers FMCSA Clearinghouse Memberships. See link below for more information: https://workplacescreening.com/fmcsa-chs/
DOT Random Consortium
The DOT random consortium is a process used to randomly test drivers, and it is required by the DOT. Random drug testing helps companies stay compliant with FMCSA regulations by ensuring that drug use is not rampant among their drivers. Companies can choose to have a standalone pool or enter their drivers in a consortium. Standalone pools allow the employers to tightly control their own compliance. While a Random Consortium allows smaller employers to random test without having to test the same employees over and over. Do you need a random program or need to join a consortium? ? Contact our knowledgeable Support Staff at 844-573-8378 or support@workplacescreening.com or press on link to order now: https://workplacescreening.com/
Supervisor Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training
DOT requires that supervisors are trained on drug and alcohol testing protocols. The training is usually one hour for drug awareness and one hour for alcohol awareness and can be completed online. The training aims to educate supervisors on the signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse to make them better equipped to monitor drivers for potential drug and alcohol problems. If you need affordable Supervisor training, contact our knowledgeable Support Staff at 844-573-8378 or support@workplacescreening.com
DOT Physical
DOT physicals are mandated examinations to detect any physical or mental issues that may adversely affect an employee’s ability to drive a commercial vehicle safely. These physicals are performed by qualified medical examiners, and drivers are required to complete the physical every two years. For less healthier individuals, the physical will need to repeated every 90-365 days according to the health issue. Non DOT physicals are available for your non-dot or non-reg employees
NON-DOT Drug Screen
Non-DOT drug screening occurs in all workplaces outside the trucking industry. Employees who do not operate commercial vehicles are subjected to non-DOT testing, which requires strict adherence to guidelines established by their company. Companies that do not require DOT testing can, however, request drug testing for their staff at any time. Need to find a drug test near me today? Contact us at 844-573-8378 or support@workplacesctreening.com
Non-Reg Order a Drug Test Today
Businesses with drivers in safety-sensitive positions must be compliant with the DOT’s workplace drug and alcohol testing requirements. There are many services available online for scheduling and administering a DOT-required drug test. A reliable online drug testing facility includes provision for a Medical Review Officer (MRO) to review all samples and provide unbiased drug test results. If you need assistance with your Employee Screening Program contact our Support Team today at 844-573-8378 or support@workplacescreening.com
Compliance with DOT regulations can be a challenge. However, with the right knowledge, resources, and tools, you can ensure that your company stays compliant, protecting both the safety of your drivers and the general public. The DOT regulations are in place to make sure that drivers of CMVs are not impaired due to alcohol, drugs, or other substances that can have adverse impacts on their ability to operate the vehicle safely. We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights into DOT screening needs, and we’re confident that you will now be better equipped to follow DOT regulations and keep your drivers and operators drug-free. If you need a compliance expert to assist with DOT Regulations, contact our Support team who are experts in DOT Compliance at 844-573-8378 or support@workplacescreening.com
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