

- What happens if a truck driver fails a drug test drivers#
- What happens if a truck driver fails a drug test professional#
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisements.What Happens If You Fail a DOT Drug Test?Ī failed DOT drug test results in immediate removal from performing safety-sensitive functions, including driving a CMV. If you were seriously injured or had a family member killed in a crash with a commercial truck, consult a truck accident attorney about holding all negligent parties responsible. But apparently there still is a long way to go. It’s good that there is now a better way to stop truckers under the influence from driving. In December 2019, Overdrive, a truck industry publication, reported that 43% of companies had not registered for the clearinghouse and another 29% didn’t even know what it was. In addition to the high rate of failed drug tests, another concern is how many trucking companies are actually using the clearinghouse. Those subjected to federal testing guidelines are truckers with rigs weighing at least 26,000 pounds or hauling hazardous materials.
What happens if a truck driver fails a drug test drivers#
Commercial truck drivers suspected of driver under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol.Commercial truck drivers involved who receive a citation following an accident in which someone is injured.Commercial truck drivers involved in a fatal accident.In addition to new drivers, truck drivers already on the job who must undergo testing for drugs and alcohol by their employers include: The Federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse includes evidence that this process was completed by applicable truck drivers looking to be hired.
What happens if a truck driver fails a drug test professional#
Undergoing treatment by the substance abuse professional.Evaluation by a substance abuse professional.Truck drivers known to fail a drug test or an alcohol screening test are supposed to be suspended until they complete federally mandated steps. Based on the number of failed drug tests in 2018, federal rules require companies this year to double the rate of their random drug testing.

Trucking companies must randomly screen their truck drivers. Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing of Truck Drivers So until they are discovered by their current employers, experienced truckers in the clearinghouse for a failed test or for refusing to take a substance abuse test still can be driving. Currently the federal government does not alert employers about truckers who have failed drug or alcohol abuse testing by other companies. It’s probable that, this early in, trucking companies have not run the required annual background check on their drivers. Such records would include a failed test at a previous company. Trucking companies are required to check the clearinghouse on each of their truckers once a year. One purpose of the clearinghouse is to catch truckers who failed tests from jumping from company to company in an effort to hide or outrun their substance abuse history. And, it’s been reported that problems with the new clearinghouse potentially are leaving dangerous truck drives on the road. Which means there could be a sizeable number of commercial truck drivers with substance abuse problems still driving.

And at that time there already were some 3,000 truck driver substance abuse test violations in the clearinghouse. In early February it was reported that 90% of truckers seeking jobs had yet to register. 90% of Truck Drivers Not Registered for Substance Abuse Testing Clearinghouse So for those who don’t register, they can’t be considered and cleared for a new job. But to be considered for a new job – either first-time truckers or those switching jobs – employers must access the clearinghouse. Per federal rules, truck drivers don’t have to register with the Federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. But 8,000 drug testing violations is a real-life, real-time indication of just how big a risk truckers under the influence of alcohol or drugs are today. Yes, stopping big rig drivers with a history of drug or alcohol abuse before they get on the road is a positive step. Since then, in less than two months, it has captured nearly 8,000 failed or refused substance abuse tests by truckers.Īnd some in the trucking industry called this good news. On January 6, the first-ever clearinghouse for failed truck driver drug or alcohol tests came on line.
