DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Requirements
August 11 2025
Keeping safety top of mind is a must in the transportation industry. One of the key tools for protecting employees and the public is the DOT drug test. Required by the Department of Transportation (DOT), this test applies to workers in safety-sensitive roles such as driving commercial vehicles or transporting hazardous materials. Employers must adhere to clear rules to remain compliant and protect their teams.
Let’s explore what the DOT drug test involves, when it is required, and how to build a compliant testing program that meets all DOT regulations.
What Is a DOT Drug Test?
The DOT drug test is a federally required drug and alcohol test for anyone working in a DOT-regulated role. It screens for five types of drugs: marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, and PCP. Testing must follow the procedures outlined in 49 CFR Part 40, which the Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforces. These procedures are part of broader occupational health services that support DOT compliance and employee safety.
The standard method is the DOT urine test. This test adheres to strict collection rules to ensure that every DOT drug screen is valid. A Medical Review Officer (MRO) reviews the results before sharing them with the employer.
When Are DOT Drug Tests Required?
A DOT drug test is not a one-time step. It is part of an ongoing testing program. Here are the times when testing is required:
- Pre-employment: Before hiring, employers must conduct a DOT drug test and start the background screening process.
- Random testing: Performed without notice throughout the year.
- Post-accident: Required after certain workplace accidents.
- Reasonable suspicion: Triggered by observed signs of substance use.
- Return-to-duty and follow-up: Needed after a positive drug test before an employee can work again.
These checks help ensure workers are safe and fit to perform in safety-sensitive roles. If you’re navigating the return-to-duty process, check out our Employer’s Guide to Return-to-Duty Drug and Alcohol Testing for a deeper look at what’s required after a positive result.
What Substances Are Detected?
A DOT drug test screens for:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Amphetamines
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
Though a urine drug test is often the choice for DOT screening, tools like Quantisal™ are helping employers adopt oral fluid drug tests that are both non-invasive and lab-ready.
How the Drug and Alcohol Test Works
1. The sample is collected at a certified site following chain-of-custody procedures.
2. It has been tested in a certified laboratory.
3. A licensed MRO reviews the test result.
4. Employers are informed and act if needed.
While DOT tests must follow strict lab-based procedures, many employers outside of DOT-regulated roles can choose between rapid drug screens and lab testing depending on turnaround time and compliance needs.
What Employers Must Do to Stay Compliant
DOT-regulated employers have a legal responsibility to run a compliant program. This includes:
- A written policy for employees
- Supervisor training to identify warning signs
- Employee education on rights and responsibilities
- Accurate recordkeeping and policy updates
- Following all DOT regulations and timelines
Employers must also conduct background checks and verify each worker’s history before assigning safety-sensitive tasks.
What Is a DOT Background Check?
A DOT background check has unique requirements that standard employment screenings may not have. Managing DOT background checks can be daunting, particularly when navigating the varying requirements across different agencies. InfoMart offers tools and expertise to simplify this process and minimize errors..
A DOT background check may include an MVR, drug test, expanded employment verification, physical, and a preemployment screening program (PSP).
Motor Vehicle Record Checks (MVR)
An MVR from any state in which the driver held a license or driving permit in the last three years.
DOT Drug Test
A DOT-compliant drug test screening for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamine, opiods, and PCP.
DOT Employment Verification
An expanded employment verification specifically designed for DOT-regulated positions. These verifications contact any employer from the previous three years and include questions specifically required by the FMCSA. These inquiries include:
- If the driver had any on-the-job accidents
- If the driver had a positive drug test or an alcohol test result of 0.04% or more
- If the driver ever refused an alcohol or drug test
- If they failed a prescribed rehabilitation program
In addition to these specific questions, the employment verification verifies general information like dates of employment and job positions.
DOT Physical
An exam designed to confirm a driver’s fit for duty. The exam checks vitals like vision, hearing, and dexterity. For a closer look at what these exams include and how they support workplace safety, read our guide on what is included in a pre-employment physical exam.
Preemployment Screening Program (PSP)
A driving history that collects five years of crash data and three years of roadside inspection data from the FMCSA database of federal data. Though not a requirement of a DOT-compliant background check, many employers choose to go this extra step for safety.
While DOT testing and background checks are tightly regulated, employers often need to screen candidates for non-DOT-regulated roles as well. Tools like eCup+ offer fast, reliable instant drug screening for these positions, helping employers streamline hiring without sacrificing quality or compliance.
Following the proper background check process is required by the federal motor carrier safety standards and ensures that no steps are missed.
Screening a New Job Candidate
As part of the hiring process, employers must complete background screening for each job candidate. This includes:
- Reviewing driving history
- Verifying past DOT drug testing records
- Ensuring compliance with all DOT background check requirements
These steps help confirm that the candidate is eligible to work in a DOT-regulated role.
What Happens After a Positive Drug Test?
If a worker tests positive for a drug, they must be removed from duty immediately. Before returning, they must:
- Complete a substance abuse assessment
- Attend treatment or education if needed
- Pass a return-to-duty DOT drug test
- Be cleared by the MRO
Only then can they return to a safety-sensitive role. A follow-up DOT drug screen may also be required.
Why DOT Compliance Matters
For companies that transport hazardous materials or operate commercial vehicles, staying compliant is more than a regulation. It is a matter of public safety. A strong drug and alcohol test program reduces risk and protects your team.
Partnering with a reliable provider helps you manage your drug testing, meet all DOT background check rules, and track each step in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DOT drug test?
A DOT drug test is a federally required urine drug test for safety-sensitive workers. It follows 49 CFR Part 40 and tests for five specific substances.
What happens if you fail a DOT drug test?
A positive drug test removes you from duty. You must complete a return-to-duty process.
How long do DOT drug test results take?
Most DOT drug screen results return in 1–2 days. If reviewed by a Medical Review Officer, the test result may take up to 5 days.
Final Thoughts
A clear and compliant DOT drug testing program is key to building a safe and productive team. From urine drug tests and alcohol tests to background checks, every step in the process plays a crucial role in ensuring safety.
Understanding the steps, following the rules, and working with a trusted partner like InfoMart makes all the difference. From fast, accurate drug screening to background check support, we help employers stay compliant and confident. Employers who prioritize compliance and follow each requirement help keep the roads—and their businesses—moving forward.
Ready to simplify DOT compliance? InfoMart offers fully automated screening, real-time tracking, and nationwide testing solutions—all designed to keep your team compliant and protected.
About Tammy Cohen
Tammy Cohen, an industry pioneer and expert in identity and employment screening, founded InfoMart 30 years ago. Deemed the “Queen of Screen,” she’s been a force behind industry-leading innovations. She was most recently the first-to-market with a fully compliant sanctions search, as well as a suite of identity services that modernizes talent onboarding. Tammy revolutionized the screening industry when she stepped into the field, developing the first client-facing application and a due diligence criminal search that has since become standard for all background screening companies. Cohen has received national awards and honors for her business and civic involvement, including Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 25 Women-Owned Firms in Atlanta, Enterprising Women Magazine’s Enterprising Women of the Year award, the YWCA of Northwest Georgia’s Kathryn Woods Racial Justice Award, and a commendation in the 152nd Congressional Record.
About InfoMart
InfoMart has been revolutionizing the global background and identity screening industry for 30 years, providing businesses the information they need to make informed hiring decisions. They develop innovative technology that modernizes talent onboarding, including a first-to-market biometric identity authentication application and a verified sanctions search. The WBENC-certified company is a founding member of the Professional Background Screening Association, and they have achieved PBSA accreditation in recognition of their consistent business practices and commitment to compliance with the FCRA. The company is dedicated to customer service, speed, and accuracy, and it has been recognized for its success, workplace culture, and corporate citizenship with over 45 industry awards. To Get the Whole Story on InfoMart, please visit www.InfoMart-USA.com, follow @InfoMartUSA, or call (770) 984-2727.