Drug and Alcohol Testing: Ensuring Compliance and Safety in Trucking
Substance misuse can be hazardous in any industry, but it is especially dangerous in trucking. Truck drivers with a CDL contribute to more than 400,000 accidents every year, causing over 4,800 fatalities, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Five percent of fatal truck accidents are related to substance use. (1)
That’s why the FMCSA has specific and strict guidelines that drivers and their employers must adhere to in order to safely and legally operate. And it is critical for trucking company operators to be aware of the pertinent regulations and requirements, and their responsibilities.
Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Trucking Industry
The FMCSA under the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has a number of requirements drivers and carriers must meet when it comes to drug and alcohol testing. All commercial motor vehicle drivers that operate vehicles that weigh over 26,001 pounds, transport hazardous materials, and/or carry 16 or more passengers must adhere to these requirements. The substances tested for include marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, Phencyclidinem, and alcohol levels that cause the blood alcohol content (BAC) to reach or be above 0.04%.
The FMCSA requires truck driver employers to perform a myriad of drug and alcohol testing that includes:
- Pre-employment testing before a driver is hired or begins using a commercial vehicle.
- Reasonable suspicion testing in the event an employer or operator observes behavior that leads them to believe the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Random testing is unannounced drug and alcohol tests to be used as a deterrent against substance use. DOT regulations mandate that trucking companies randomly select 10% of their drivers for alcohol testing and 50% for drug testing every year.
- Post-accident testing must be performed within a certain time frame when drivers are involved in an accident where there is a fatality or when the commercial driver is deemed to be at fault.
- Return-to-duty testing if a driver tested positive for a drug- or alcohol-related violation, they must pass a drug/alcohol test before returning to regular duties.
- Follow-up testing is required to be unannounced for any driver who was found to have violated substance use regulations for up to five years.
This required testing must be done using DOT resources and personnel – drug testing must be conducted following the DOT’s Drug Testing Custody and Control Form by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) or other authorized personnel, and alcohol testing must be facilitated using a DOT-approved breath alcohol testing device by a certified Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT).
The FMCSA maintains an online repository – its Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse – with records of driver drug and alcohol violations. Trucking companies are required to refer to it before hiring a new driver.
Testing Positive for Drugs or Alcohol
If a driver tests positive for drugs or alcohol, it is the responsibility of the trucking company to immediately remove them from safety-sensitive duties and begin a “return-to-duty” procedure before they are permitted to resume normal responsibilities. This process should include a review of the driver’s alcohol and drug history, follow-up testing, and an assessment by an SAP.
Testing positive for drugs or alcohol doesn’t just have negative consequences for the drivers themselves – trucking companies can face repercussions as well if they are found to have allowed a driver who tested positive to continue with their normal duties without first adhering to a return-to-duty procedure.
Your Drug and Alcohol Policy
It is the responsibility of each trucking company to ensure they are in compliance with the FMCSA’s drug and alcohol regulations. As an employer, you must maintain a drug and alcohol testing program as well as keep records of all test results and violations. You can maintain your own policies, but they must be at least as stringent as the FMCSA’s policy.
Drug and alcohol testing is critical in the trucking industry to protect drivers, motorists they share the road with, their cargo, and the trucking companies themselves. Being aware of federal regulations helps you to mitigate risks and keep your drivers and business safe.
Another great way to mitigate risks for your trucking company is to know your Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) score – a number calculated by the FMCSA that relates to a carrier’s safety performance, measures compliance with safety regulations, and identifies high-risk fleets, carriers, and drivers. Knowing and understanding your CSA score can help further reduce your risks and protect your business. At SWZ, we offer a free SCORE Report to help you understand your safety score, identify safety issues, and learn how to resolve them. Request your copy today.
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