The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has created a clearinghouse where employers can search for drug and alcohol violation records for their truck drivers. Before this clearinghouse, employers had to contact previous employers to find out if their employees had been drug or alcohol tested. This clearinghouse allows carriers to search the records of drivers within three years of their hiring. It will be possible to search drivers’ records within the Clearinghouse by January 2023.
A drug test is an important part of truck driving. Drug testing keeps dangerous drivers off the road and makes roads safer for everyone. DOT-mandated drug testing requires drivers to submit to random tests once a year. It may also be conducted after an accident. Sometimes the tests are conducted after a supervisor suspects that a driver is using drugs. Some employers may even conduct random drug testing to check their drivers for these substances.
Is It Better to Fail a Drug Test Or Refuse?
The answer to the question of “Is it better to fail a drug test or refuse?” depends on your circumstances. In some cases, a drug test is mandatory for a job in which safety is a top priority. In such situations, refusing the test is not an option – the employer might just want to see if you’ve been drinking or using drugs, or they may just be deciding whether to hire you or not.
While most employers have a strict drug-free policy, not all do. Despite state and federal laws, some employers have no choice but to test all employees. It is important to follow the company drug policy. However, if you’re asked to take the test, it’s vital that you provide a legitimate reason. Some employees argue that the test was unfair, which is perfectly valid.
What Happens If I Fail a DOT Drug Screen?
What happens after a failed DOT drug test? The results are reported to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearhouse. This system records all drug testing results for truck drivers who are required to have them. It also records the results of refused drug tests. Medical review officers and employers report violations of FMCSA drug and alcohol policies to this clearinghouse. In most cases, the result of a failed drug test is recorded as a positive.
Failure to pass a drug or alcohol test is a serious problem for truck drivers and trucking companies. The process of allowing a commercial truck driver to resume work after a failed DOT drug test is lengthy and complicated. However, a positive drug or alcohol test will appear on a truck driver’s drug and alcohol clearance record for a period of twelve months. Unlike criminal convictions, a failed DOT drug test will not appear on a background check, but will appear on a driver’s drug and alcohol clearance record for 12 months.
How Do You Fight a Positive Drug Test?
Drug tests are common in many different industries, including employment, athletic competition, and educational institutions. Drug testing is done to avoid safety risks for current and potential employees, as well as to narrow down prospective hires. While drug tests are not ideal for any environment, there are some ways to combat false positives. Here are a few suggestions:
The first thing to do is inform the testing personnel of any medications or supplements that you are taking. Bring along any medical documentation to support your claim. If possible, bring with you the prescribed medications you are currently taking. This may allow you to receive a second panel test. Remember that the test provider is unaware of your identity, so it is crucial to provide any documentation to support your claim. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a positive drug test, consult an attorney or an expert in the field.
While there are ways to fight a false positive drug test, you should be aware that many substances that can trigger a positive result are not in reality drugs. Some of these substances include CBD oil and poppy seeds. Tonic water is a common example of a product that can trigger a false positive drug test. Those two substances can give you a false positive. Nonetheless, they may not be harmful in small amounts and can actually give you a false positive test.
How Can I Pass a 2021 Hair Follicle Test?
A hair follicle test is a drug screening method that uses a small sample of hair from your head. Approximately 1.5 inches of hair is taken from the back of the head. It will go through a process to determine whether you have used any illicit or legal substances in the past 90 days. If you have used any illegal or prescription drugs in the past, you will need to stay away from these substances for 90 days before the test.
A hair follicle drug test cannot be cheated. It is vital that the hair sample is fresh from the donor. If the hair is dyed or bleached, it will not have the same effect as a freshly-shaved head. A technician may use hair from your leg, arm, or other body part to meet the sample requirement. A complete shave is a dead giveaway that you are trying to avoid testing.
Does DOT Do Hair Follicle Test?
The question, “Does DOT Do Hair Follicle Test?” has been on the minds of trucking companies for a number of years. While the DOT drug test requirement remains urinalysis, some larger trucking companies have begun requiring hair drug testing as well. These tests can detect use of certain drugs over a 90-day period, and can also be used as a long-term drug test.
One of the benefits of the hair test is that it documents past drug use. The test is noninvasive and documents the drug usage within 90 days of the test. Unfortunately, this type of test does not detect alcohol. However, trucking companies that conduct drug testing in addition to the DOT standard five-panel urine tests may decide to use hair follicle testing for the same reasons. It’s a good thing that trucking companies are increasingly choosing this option as an additional method to help them determine whether or not their drivers are drugged.
Although hair follicle testing is an approved method for DOT drug tests, there are many limitations. It’s costly and takes longer to detect drug use than urine tests. Furthermore, the results of the test are not shared with other companies. Hair follicle drug testing is still considered an internal screening tool for drug use, so it’s unlikely that it will catch a driver using illegal drugs.
What Percentage of Truck Drivers Do Drugs?
According to a study by the American Addiction Centers, a high percentage of commercial truck drivers regularly consume alcohol and other illegal substances. The study found that alcohol use and amphetamine use were more common among truckers than drivers in other occupations. However, there is no definite evidence that alcohol use is a primary cause of truck accidents. A truck accident attorney can determine whether a driver’s drug use may be a contributing factor in an accident.
In recent years, studies have indicated that as many as a quarter of commercial truck drivers use drugs, alcohol, or both. Alcohol is one of the most common substances detected, accounting for between six and eight percent of truck drivers’ blood alcohol concentrations. Drugs abused by truck drivers can affect a driver’s ability to drive safely, and the use of these substances can be dangerous for others. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the risk of an accident caused by alcohol or drug use.
What is a Good Excuse For Failing a Drug Test?
One good excuse for a failed truck driver drug test is that a substance abuse professional supervised the truck driver’s testing. Substance abuse professionals are licensed and trained professionals that assess employees who have violated the DOT drug testing regulations. Once the drivers are identified, they are evaluated and given a course of treatment based on their needs. If a driver fails a follow-up test, the process is re-started. The company can’t fire a driver for this reason.
The federal government recently released data on the percentage of truck drivers who have failed the drug test. The positive rate grew to 9.3% in September, up from 8.3% in August. The data was compiled by the federal Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and released by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Oct. 1. According to the data, nearly 78% of drivers are in “prohibited status” which means they have at least one drug violation and are in the return-to-duty process.
Learn More Here:
3.) Best Trucks
