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Wisconsin Drug Testing Consortium makes it easier to fulfill DOT requirements

DOT drug testing requirements for CDL drivers operating commercial motor vehicles include responsibilities for drivers as well as employers. Wisconsin Drug Testing Consortium (WDTC) helps employers and owner-operators meet these requirements and remain in good standing with the DOT.

DOT random drug testing and overall DOT drug testing requirements, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, include the following:

Pre-employment – New drivers must record a negative result in order to legally operate a CMV. DOT drug testing requirements stipulate that a driver must be re-tested if they have been removed from a random testing pool for more than 30 days.

Post-accident – Drivers must submit to drug and alcohol testing whenever they are involved in a fatal accident or receive a traffic citation resulting from an injury or vehicle-disabling accident. DOT drug testing requirements state that the alcohol test must occur within eight hours and the drug test within 32 hours.

Random – Unannounced DOT random drug testing is a significant enforcement tool. A driver may be directed to take a drug test even when at home in an off-duty status. Random alcohol testing can only occur when the driver is on duty or immediately before or after. A delayed arrival at the testing site may be considered a refusal, which is the same as a positive test.

Reasonable Suspicion – DOT-trained supervisors can direct a driver to be tested whenever the driver shows signs of drug or alcohol abuse. Appearance, behavior, speech and even body odors can generate this DOT drug testing requirement.

Return to duty – This portion of DOT drug testing requirements includes direct observation. This test is only required after a driver has completed the entire return-to-duty process.

Follow-up – Follow-up drug and alcohol tests are required when prescribed by the substance abuse professional (SAP) who signs the return-to-duty report. They consist of a minimum of six unannounced, directly observed tests conducted during the first 12 months following the return-to-duty test. The SAP can prescribe follow-up testing for up to five years for drivers who have tested positive or refused to test. These are in addition to any random tests.

WDTC is actively working with employers during this pandemic to complete DOT drug testing requirements. Contact us to schedule testing for your organization.

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 and Appleton, Wisconsin. Call 888-784-8842 or visit https://widrugtesting.com for more information.