Truck Drivers

A commercial driver's license (CDL) is required for operation of a commercial motor vehicle and persons obtaining a CDL are generally required to submit to a federal drug & alcohol testing program as part of a condition for employment. A partial list could include private motor carriers, for-hire motor carriers, chruches, civic organizations (i.e. disabled veteran transport, boy/girl scouts, etc.), or anyone who assigns drivers to operate commercial motor vehicles. That means supervisors are not exempt from following the rules.

The current Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, reports the ultimate goal of the drug & alcohol testing program is public safety. Employers are mandated to look out for the best interest of the public they serve, their employees, and themselves. We at CM & Associates understand this places a considerable amount of regulatory requirements on employers and we want to help alleviate any questions or possible stumbling blocks towards success.

Federal Rules from FMCSA @ DOT

The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration at the Department of Transportation maintains oversight of the truck driving industry. Check out all the official requirements regarding drug & alcohol testing and compliance at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/drug/engtesting.htm.

There you will find key topics like:

• What are the rules?
• Who is affected by these rules?
• What alcohol use is prohibited?
• What alcohol tests are required?
• How does random alcohol testing work?
• How will alcohol testing be done?
• Who does the testing?
• What are the consequences of alcohol misuse?
• Are employees entitled to rehabilitation?
• How will the FMCSA know if these rules are being followed?
• What drug use is prohibited?
• What are the consequences of a positive drug test?

and many more...

Understand one aspect clearly: Any person who holds a CDL is considered to have consented to such testing as required by any state or jurisdiction in the enforcement of being under the influence of a controlled substancde or using alcohol, be under the influence of alcohol, or have any measured alcohol concentration or detected presence of alcohol, while on duty, or operating, or in physical control of a commercial motor vehicle. Consent is implied by driving a commercial motor vehicle.