The DOT drug testing rules explained

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible, among many, many other things, for creating the rules and regulations for drug testing programs and procedures which must be implemented in any and all transportation-related businesses—both the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) have to adhere to the rules and regulations set by DOT so the rules are truly universally applicable across the transportation industry in the United States. And, you might find it interesting to learn that the DOT drug testing rules and the implementation of an approved DOT drug testing program are mandatory even if your company is centered outside U.S borders, as long as you have employees driving or operating heavy equipment on U.S territory. Keep reading to find out more about the DOT drug testing procedures and see how you can start implementing an approved DOT drug testing program in your business.

 

If you’re thinking that your one-man taxi company isn’t big enough to have to adhere to the DOT drug testing rules and to implement your own DOT drug testing program, you need to think again, because tag: you’re it. The DOT drug testing rules apply to all employees which are prepared to drive (have a Commercial Drivers’ License). So you need to include any substitute drivers you may keep on staff for emergency situations as well. The DOT drug testing rules and the implementation of an approved DOT drug testing program is meant to act as a deterrence measure, to discourage employees from engaging in the practice of drug use or alcohol abuse.

 

Don’t worry, having to implement a DOT drug testing program and having to adhere to the DOT drug testing rules doesn’t mean you need to impose total abstinence on your employees or on yourself, at least not when it comes to alcohol. Any other drug, like Marijuana, Opiates or Ecstasy is completely banned, but since alcohol is a legal drug the rules are a bit more lenient. All employees can drink when they’re off work, unless they have four hours or less until they are scheduled to work. An employee who is off but on call is allowed to drink, but if he or she is called into work they have to declare themselves unfit to drive if they’ve consumed alcohol within four hours of being called in.

 

As scary as this all may sound, you need to know that there are dedicated and specialized drug testing companies out there who can help. These companies can help you implement a drug and alcohol policy in your business, set up a complete employee database, organize drug testing procedures and arrange collection facilities, basically doing everything needed to help you adhere to the DOT drug and alcohol testing protocols.

 

If you’re thinking about opening up a small transportation-related business you need to know more about the existing DOT drug testing protocols so that you’re not taken by surprise by a DOT audit. Learn about everything involved in an approved DOT drug testing program and see how you can implement one in your business and root out the use of drugs.