what to do after failing a dot drug test

1 Fail to appear for any test except a pre-employment test within a reasonable time as determined by the employer consistent with applicable DOT agency regulations after being directed to do so by the employer. Some employers have programs through which they allow employees who have failed DOT drug test to return to work.

What Happens If You Fail A Dot Drug Test

Having a failed drug or alcohol test on your record will make getting another driving job very very difficult for at least a year and probably longer.

. You are required to complete a DOT drug test prior to obtaining your CDL license. In serious cases you may be suspended or dismissed or lose your CDL license. However that candidate has the right to explain a positive drug test within 10 days of the results.

Whichever is the case you must successfully complete the return-to-duty process before returning to any. If an employee takes a DOT-mandated drug test and that test comes back positive you must remove that employee from any DOT-covered functions right away. During the follow-up evaluation the SAP will determine if the employee is eligible to be considered for return to duty.

You fail a drug or alcohol test by testing positive to a drug test or registering a 004 or greater alcohol content. What Happens If You Fail a DOT Drug Test. Then you must see a Substance Abuse Professional SAP.

As an employee you must show compliance to the recommendations and be seen by a SAP for a follow-up evaluation. This includes the failure of an employee including an owner-operator to appear for a test when called by a CTPA see 4061a. Immediate response to DOT violations.

If you fail a drug test you cannot retake the test to change the results. You may request a retest within 72 hours of receiving a positive test result after consulting with your MRO. Heres what happens if you fail a DOT drug or alcohol test.

Your company may have different policy about the consequences of failing to pass a DOT drug test. A drivers refusal to take a DOT drug and alcohol test generally results in the same consequences as a failed test the exception being the pre-employment test. Any driver failing a drug or alcohol test will be required to complete a return-to-duty process with a DOT-qualified substance abuse professional SAP.

A failed DOT drug test results in immediate removal from performing safety-sensitive functions including driving a CMV. A number of things can happen when you fail a DOT drug test. Either of these results requires you to be immediately removed from performing safety-sensitive functions ie driving CMVs until successful completion of the return-to-duty process with a DOT-qualified substance abuse professional.

You will meet with your SAP for an evaluation. A failed DOT drug test andor alcohol test is entered into the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and requires you to complete the Return-to-Duty process RTD with a qualified DOT Substance Abuse Professional SAP. You will immediately be removed from DOT-related safety-sensitive responsibilities which for truck drivers means you will be put out-of-service instantly.

When you fail a DOT drug test with a positive result you must be removed from your DOT safety-sensitive position. First Step After Failing A DOT Drug Test. If your test comes positive you may be removed immediately from the company or at least you will be stopped from performing safety sensitive functions.

If you have failed a DOT drug test and need to get back to work fast get in touch with SAP Referral Services. This could be a permanent removal from your job depending on employers and the rules and regulations in place for your own employer. You see DOT drug and alcohol testing rely heavily on urine samples.

This means any activity involving driving or operating a motor vehicle. This is to ensure the results are as accurate as possible. After refusing a DOT drug test andor alcohol test you will need to work with a qualified DOT SAP.

However other employers maintain a zero-tolerance policy. First things first. Refusing a DOT drug test is similar to failing.

You cannot enter back into any DOT safety sensitive position until you complete a return to duty process with a Substance Abuse Professional SAP. For example in Alaska employers can use a failed drug test as grounds for not hiring a candidate. A drivers refusal to submit to a drug or alcohol test is generally equivalent to testing positive to a drug or alcohol test.

In addition if you refuse a DOT drug test it is also considered a positive result and will be entered. It may also eliminate you as a new-hire candidate. It depends on your employers policy and what you decide to do after the test.

Drug test laws vary from state-to-state and can often guide next steps or consequences for a candidates failed drug test. Return to Duty Process after You Refuse to Take a DOT Drug Test. If you were to retake the drug test several hours or days after the initial one the results would.

The United States Department of Transportation DOT mandates that if you fail a DOT-required drug test you must be removed from your safety sensitive DOT covered position. If on a dispatch a driver must be told of the test result and instructed to park the vehicle. The tests performed are carried on split samples.

This notification often involves making arrangements to get the. Failing a DOT drug test can be a severe matter for many reasons. Dont wait for a written letter from the Medical Review Officer or any follow-up from the testing.

The National Transportation Safety Board has found that failing a DOT drug test can result in an immediate medical suspension and even termination for all employees who work for companies that do not conduct random drug and alcohol testing. Only one of the samples gets tested and the other is what they call a backup This is saved for confirmation or in case you choose to. If you are a current DOT employee and get confirmation of a positive test in DOT drug testing youll be immediately removed from safety-sensitive duties.

The driver must immediately be removed from performing safety-sensitive functions ie driving CMVs until successful completion of the return-to-duty process with a DOT-qualified substance abuse professional. When drivers engage in prohibited drug or alcohol behavior they must be immediately removed from performing all safety-sensitive functions. In fact the Department of Transportation requires employees to immediately report to the testing facility after theyve been notified to take a test.

And almost certainly fired or turned down for the job you were testing for. DOT drug testing is serious business and failing a DOT drug test can cause you to lose your job with even more consequences. You can refuse the pre-employment test but the company cannot hire you for safety sensitive position like driving.

From there your SAP will provide a treatment andor education plan for you to follow.

Common Questions About Failing Drug Tests