DOT Compliance

DER: The DER stands for Designated Employee Representative. The role of the DER is one who is authorized taking immediate action to remove an employee from a safety sensitive position, making decisions when it comes to the testing process and receiving the results. The DER is also usually the ones to manage the drug and alcohol program if they have not hired anyone else to do so.

Random (DOT) Consortium: A consortium is a combined random drug and alcohol testing pool required for employers Regulated by the government U.S Department of transportation. The randoms are to be selected by a computer-generated system compliant with the DOT regulations. Selections are made quarterly throughout the year & testing must be completed within 24 hours of selection. You can learn more and register for a consortium by researching a DOT regulated consortium provider.

DOT Policy: You are required to implement a DOT Policy once you’ve reached the peak to where you’ve hired you first driver under your company. The DOT Policy is a written document that you will need to explain to the driver(s) as well as having them sign off on it in order to be employed with you. This policy includes regulations for drug and alcohol testing and allows you to decide if you’d like to enforce the DOT minimum or to enforce a strict policy that goes in depth on how you need to handle certain topics. Examples of certain topics can include, what happens when the driver can’t produce enough urine within the time frame of a Pre-Employment drug test? Will the driver be able to retake the test another time? Will they be automatically terminated after the first attempt? Will you allow the employee to complete the SAP program and give a second chance of employment to return back to duty?

Be sure that the policy includes the DOT guidelines for drug testing in Part 40.

Supervisor Training: Once you have hired your first driver under your company, be sure to have every member of management go through proper supervisor training. The purpose of this training is to educate supervisors on identifying reasonable suspicion within a driver who you suspect is using or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

SAP (Substance Abuse Professional): If a driver has obtained a CDL license and has failed a drug screening at some point, the SAP (Substance Abuse Professional) provider is the first step to return to duty. You would do so by researching a certified SAP provider, and the provider will dictate the time period of the program and what it will entail. When you start up your trucking company, be sure to research ahead of time a certified SAP Provider so that you have this information handy.

Clearinghouse: The clearinghouse is a secure online database giving employers, the FMCSA, & state law enforcement access to real-time information on a CDL driver’s drug and alcohol violations to ensure safety on the roadways. It is the employer’s responsibility to query the clearinghouse for prospect employees as well as annually for any current employee’s drug and alcohol violations (if any). To learn more about the clearinghouse and how to register CLICK HERE. (This link will redirect you to the FMCSA government webpage in which we are not associated with)

CDL Physical: The CDL Physical is a mandated health examination required by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) for commercial motor vehicle drivers. This exam will help determine if whether a driver is physically, mentally, & emotionally fit to operate a commercial motor vehicle. The exam can last about 30 minutes. All CDL holders are required to have a valid medical certificate on file in order to obtain your CDL & must comply with the regulations in part 383. You will need to undergo the exam every 2 years to obtain your CDL.

Below is what the CDL exam consists of:

• Measuring important vital signs

• Temperature

• Blood pressure

• Heart rate

• evaluation to your body

• urinalyses to check sugar

Post-Accident: Immediately after a CDL driver is involved in an accident, the Department of Transportation (DOT) Requires those who fall under the DOT FMCSA part 40 rules and regulations, must conduct a DOT regulated Drug test (within at-least 32 hours from when the accident occurred) & DOT regulated Breath alcohol test (within 8 hours from when the accident occurred). Notate any specifics such as why it may have taken the driver longer than 2 hours to complete a post-accident drug and alcohol test immediately after the accident occurred. We service all throughout the United States. Call or submit your online order to schedule a walk-in Post accident test.

For dot drug screening clinics near you, Contact Precision Mobile Lab Testing to help locate a facility near you.