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MRO or C/TPA must confirm a negative DOT pre-employment drug test result

Most employers know that CDL drivers must pass a DOT pre-employment drug test prior to performing any safety-sensitive function, but this requirement is just one of the basic requirements needed to qualify an applicant for driving with a CDL license.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations stipulate that an employer must receive a negative drug test result – confirmed by an MRO (Medical Review Officer) or C-TPA (Certified Third Party Administrator — for an applicant before permitting a CDL driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Wisconsin Drug Testing Consortium (WDTC) is an accredited C-TPA that can fulfill this requirement.

In addition, the employer must complete a drug and alcohol background check if the applicant has an existing CDL license and has worked for other employers in the previous three years. Part of that check must include verification that the applicant has not failed a DOT pre-employment drug test for an employer who did not hire them.

The prospective employer also must provide the applicant with required educational materials and execute a Certificate of Receipt and finally, add the individual to their random pool.

Updated DOT guidelines for CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

The FMCSA continues to update its resources pertaining to DOT guidelines for the upcoming CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Drivers, employers and agencies each have specific responsibilities for the new national database that will go live on January 4, 2020.

Owner-operators are subject to the requirements pertaining to employers as well as those pertaining to drivers. They must designate a Consortium/Third-Party Administrator (C/TPA), such as WDTC, to comply with the employer portion of Clearinghouse reporting requirements related to their own alcohol and controlled substance use including DOT pre-employment drug test results.

Employers with drivers other than themselves will be required to query the Clearinghouse database every year for each driver they employ. State driver licensing agencies also will be required to query the Clearinghouse whenever a CDL is issued, renewed, transferred or upgraded.

Employers and drivers are reminded to not unsubscribe from emails pertaining to CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, or DOT guidelines for drug testing.

About Wisconsin Drug Testing Consortium

Wisconsin Drug Testing Consortium is an accredited, Certified Third Party Administrator (C-TPA), and specializes in consortium management; a variety of drug testing methods, including urine, hair and fingernails; post-accident testing; pre-employment drug tests; criminal background checks; supervisor training programs to keep employees compliant with DOT regulations; pre-employment DOT physicals; and paternity DNA testing. Headquartered in Green Bay, WDTC also has offices in Oshkosh, Appleton, Fond du Lac and Madison, Wisconsin. Call 888-784-8842 or visit www.widrugtesting.com for more information.

tags: DOT guidelines for drug testing clearinghouse, cdl pre employment drug screen, dot random drug testing frequency