‍ The Department of Transportation (DOT) has special requirements for drug testing. These requirements impact jobs governed by DOT regulations, like trucking and commercial vehicle drivers. DOT drug tests can be performed for many reasons. They can be performed randomly, when an employer has reasonable suspicion that an employee is intoxicated, as part of a DOT physical exam, after an accident, and as part of a return-to-duty exam—just to name a few.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN A DOT DRUG TEST?

DOT drug testing is different from regular drug tests. For example, even though there are several ways to perform a drug test, the DOT only allows urine drug testing. They also require a very thorough testing process, so results usually take longer to process.

• HHS-certified lab testing only

• No rapid, instant, or point of contact testing permitted

• Tests for marijuana, cocaine, phencyclidine, amphetamines and methamphetamine, opiates

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WHO FALLS UNDER THE DOT DRUG TESTING PROGRAM

Here are some examples of jobs that must be tested as part of the DOT drug testing program. This list isn’t comprehensive, and certain jobs may have additional requirements. For a full list, please visit the Department of Transportation’s website.

• Commercial vehicle drivers

• Locomotive engineers, dispatchers, and signalmen 

• Flight crew members and air traffic controllers

REASONS FOR TESTING

The Department of Transportation has different testing requirements for different areas of transportation. For example, air traffic controllers may not have the same testing requirements as commercial vehicle drivers. To find the requirements for your industry or job, visit Transportation.gov.

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Contact Safe @ Work today to schedule DOT testing for your company.