The Department of Transportation characterizes some industries or occupations as safety sensitive. This includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Federal Motors Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) or truck drivers and other CDL licensed operators
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Bus drivers under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• Aviators under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Captains or merchant mariners under the United States Coast Guard (USCG)
• Railroad conductors under the Federal Railroad Administration
• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

Due to the heightened need for safety in these industries, there are important testing and compliance guidelines that need to be followed. These testing parameters include not only pre-employment, but also a random selection for drug testing, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty. As an employer operating in a DOT-regulated industry, it is extremely important to be sure that you remain in compliance with the guidelines. Each agency listed above should have an easy-to-follow set of DOT drug testing parameters published online. To help you better understand that, here’s a summary of what employers and employees must know about DOT drug tests.

What Is a DOT Drug Test?

A typical DOT drug test consists of a 5-panel urine test. However, in some cases, the reason for testing will dictate what option is needed. For example, a post-accident DOT drug test needs to include a breath alcohol test. Although drug testing on other samples, like hair, saliva, and nail, are potential options, DOT testing will only call for a urine sample. In some cases, if there is reasonable suspicion, an employer may call for something beyond the DOT-regulated testing and require anywhere from a 5-panel hair drug test to something more extensive, like the 17-panel hair drug test. Instant urine testing is not an acceptable DOT drug test.

Who Must Take a DOT Test?

DOT-regulated drug tests are necessary for any “safety-sensitive” employees. These employees are those who hold a job that can affect their own safety and the safety of the public. Some of these roles include:

• Federal Transit Administration: Vehicle operators, security, or mechanics
• Federal Railroad Administration: Engine and train operators, signal service workers, or train dispatchers
• Federal Aviation Administration: Flight crews, flight attendants, or aircraft dispatchers

What Do DOT Tests Look For?

Per the standard five-panel DOT-regulated drug test, the substances the test looks for include:

• Marijuana/THC
• Cocaine
• Amphetamines (including methamphetamines)
• Opioids (codeine, heroin, morphine)
• Phencyclidine (PCP)

When Is a DOT Test Required?

Part of what employers and employees must know about DOT drug tests is when administering the tests is appropriate. Drug tests are required in situations such as:

• Pre-Employment: Drug tests are standard practice to ensure a new hire isn’t going to be a possible danger to other employees or to the public.
• Reasonable Suspicion/Cause: If an employer suspects an employee is under the influence of drugs based on observations of appearance, behavior, speech, or smell, they may request a drug test for that employee.
• Follow-Up Testing: This takes place after an employee’s return to duty. A substance abuse professional will manage the follow-up tests for up to five years to ensure consistent results.
• Post-Accident Testing: If an employee is involved in an accident, an alcohol and drug test is required to clarify whether or not these substances played a role in the accident.
• Random Testing: Through a DOT random selection process called a drug test consortium, an employee must submit testing when their name is pulled.