Can you imagine a world where transportation drivers weren’t required to test for drugs that put themselves and their passengers in harm’s way? The truth is, substance abuse is present for many people all over the workplace. However, not all jobs are subject to the same regulations, given the varying levels of risk involved. A DOT drug test is specifically for potential and existing employees in the transportation industry. The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) requires all workers with safety-sensitive jobs to pass a DOT drug test. These roles are considered high-risk because they deal directly with the transportation of public travelers. Transportation roles can range from operating airplanes to trucks, to regular moving vehicles transporting more than 8 people or heavy machinery.

The Importance of DOT Drug Testing

The purpose of DOT drug testing is to ensure the well-being and safety of the employee and everyone they come into contact with. Because the nature of the job involves the safety of others, DOT-governed jobs implement special requirements for drug testing. They receive a full examination in an HHS-certified lab. More than that, they are not permitted a rapid, instant, or point-of-contact test. Additionally, the standard 5-panel drug screening test inspects for marijuana, cocaine, phencyclidine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, and opiates. The DOT mandates this for all transportation workers. Despite the legalization of cannabis across numerous states for medical and recreational use, it remains classified as a Schedule I Drug. While marijuana is permitted for citizen consumption, employees regulated by the DOT are held to different policies given the nature of their work. There are different DOT testing measures for different areas of transportation. For example, commercial vehicle drivers may have stricter requirements than air traffic controllers. Meanwhile, airplane conductors may be subject to rigorous and frequent DOT testing. To discover what you as an employer or employee are to comply with, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation.

DOT Drug Test Near Me

At Soteria Screening Laboratories, our main priority is creating and maintaining a drug-free workplace to ensure the safety of everyone on board. We manage some of the best prices and deliver professional, timely, hassle-free procedures. This makes DOT drug testing easy. The DOT drug tester option offers tests for Amphetamines, Cocaine, Marijuana (THC), Opiates (including Codeine, Morphine, and Heroin), Phencyclidine (PCP). In addition to these substances, we include testing for four semi-synthetic opioids (i.e., hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, and oxymorphone). This added bonus ensures an even more complete urine analysis.

DOT Breath Alcohol Test

Keep in mind that the DOT may require employers to conduct a breath alcohol test. Alcohol, while not considered a drug, is a huge liability in the workplace. If someone with an alcohol abuse problem is in charge of a safety-sensitive job, the consequences can be deadly. This is why the DOT also needs breath alcohol testing. Teamster.org shares DOT-Mandated Alcohol Testing Rules as the following: “Employees must not report for duty to perform safety-sensitive functions while having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or greater. Covered employees who engage in prohibited alcohol use must be immediately removed from safety-sensitive functions.  A CDL-qualified driver who tests at 0.02% BAC or higher must be removed from service for 24 hours.  Any covered employee who has tested at 0.04% BAC or higher must be evaluated by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).  The employee must also complete any recommended treatment.  In addition, the employee who has engaged in alcohol misuse cannot return to work to perform safety-sensitive functions until he/she has tested below 0.02% BAC.  Employees who test positive at 0.04% BAC or higher are subject to follow-up alcohol tests.”

Order Your DOT Drug Test Today

We work with over 10,000 facilities statewide, so finding an HHS-certified laboratory for your DOT drug test is simple. Type in your zipcode to find the nearest DOT drug testing site near you. And visit our products page to choose which DOT test you need.