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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Regulations

Legacy ID
506

Hazardous Materials

The mission of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is to improve truck and bus safety on our nation's highways. That includes reducing the number of transportation incidents that involve hazardous materials and could potentially harm the public and the environment. Developing programs to accomplish these goals and increase the safety of hazardous material transportation is the responsibility of the FMCSA Hazardous Materials (HM) Program.

What are Service Agents?

A service agent is any person or entity, other than an employee of the motor carrier, used to help implement the DOT/FMCSA drug and alcohol testing regulations. These might include a urine collector, a breath alcohol technician, a screening test technician, a laboratory, a medical review officer...

Employers Resources and Downloads

Employers seeking additional information on DOT drug and alcohol testing rules are encouraged to use the resources listed on this page.

What are my employee and supervisor training responsibilities?

FMCSA controlled substance and alcohol testing regulations are in place to protect the safety of the traveling public. Public safety is best served if drivers are aware of the effects of alcohol and controlled substances on health, safety, and the work environment. Educating drivers and training...

What if my driver fails or refuses a test?

A driver fails a drug or alcohol test by testing positive to a drug test, or registering a 0.04 or greater alcohol content. Either of these results requires the driver to be immediately removed from performing safety-sensitive functions (i.e., driving CMVs) until successful completion of the...

Testing Procedures

What Employers Need to Know

The DOT drug and alcohol testing procedures are extensive and can be found in 49 CFR Part 40 Subpart E and Part 40 Subpart L, respectively. It is important for employers to know the testing process in order to ensure proper procedures are followed to...

What Substances Are Tested?

Which substances are tested? DOT drug tests require laboratory testing (49 CFR Part 40 Subpart F) for the following five classes of drugs: Marijuana, Cocaine, Opiates – opium and codeine derivatives, Amphetamines and methamphetamines, Phencyclidine – PCP

Who do I test?

Generally, all CDL drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles subject to the CDL requirements on public roads in the U.S. are performing safety-sensitive functions and are subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing (§382.103). This includes all full-time, part-time, intermittent, backup and...

Overview of Drug and Alcohol Rules for Employers

The United States Congress recognized the need for a drug and alcohol free transportation industry, and in 1991 passed the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act, requiring DOT Agencies to implement drug and alcohol testing of safety-sensitive transportation employees. 49 CFR Part 40,...

Testing Procedures

The DOT drug and alcohol testing procedures are extensive and can be found in 49 CFR Part 40 Subpart E and Part 40 Subpart L, respectively. It is important for drivers to understand the testing process in order to ensure proper procedures are followed to protect their own...