The safety of the traveling public and Department of Transportation employees depends on the integrity and accuracy of the drug and alcohol testing process.
At Tomo Drug Testing, we work closely with our clients to provide customized solutions to meet their individual needs.
What is it?
The Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates drug and alcohol testing for employees who are defined to be in safety-sensitive transportation positions, including those on the roads or tracks, in the air or on the sea. The United States Congress passed an act, known as the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act, in 1991 to ensure the public and employees are kept safe in transit. Its procedures for conducting federal drug and alcohol testing are described in 49 CFR part 40 of the Federal Regulations.
Who is subject to drug and alcohol testing?
Anyone designated as a safety-sensitive employee is subject to drug and alcohol testing, including:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
- United States Coast Guard (USCG)
What drugs are included in a federal drug test?
DOT tests, collected through urine samples, are analyzed for the following drugs:
- Marijuana metabolites/THC
- Cocaine metabolites
- Amphetamines (including methamphetamine, MDMA)
- Opioids
- Codeine, Heroin, Morphine, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxymorphone, Oxycodone
- Expanded opioids were added in 2018
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
When are safety-sensitive employees subject to testing?
- Pre-employment
- Reasonable suspicion/cause
- Random
- Return-to-duty
- Follow-up
- Post-accident
Why choose Tomo for Department of Transportation testing?
- Certified Collectors and Trained Technicians
- Tomo ensures raving fans at every step of the process by treating all individuals with respect.
- Implementation of strict quality guidelines
- Management of random scheduling process
- Accurate, reliable and confidential testing programs
- Expert knowledge of federal drug and alcohol testing regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the common questions about DOT testing. If you have any questions that are not answered below, feel free to contact us.
To ensure there is nothing on your hands that could contaminate your specimen. According to DOT Regulations, the collector must instruct the employee to wash and dry his or her hands before a urine specimen is provided. 49 CFR, Part 40.63 (b)
A photo ID issued by the employer or a Federal, state, or local government is also acceptable. However, if positive identification cannot be produced, positive identification by an employer representative (not a co-worker) can be used to verify identity. 49 CFR, Part 40.61 (c)
Yes. After you display the items in your pockets/wallet to the collector, you may place your money/wallet back into your pockets or a secure lock box.
You must display the items in your pockets to ensure no items are present which could be used to adulterate the specimen. 49 CFR, Part 40.61
According to the DOT Regulations, to the greatest extent possible, the alcohol test must be completed before the urine collection process begins. 49 CFR, Part 40.61
To protect the security and integrity of urine collections and to deter tampering with specimens. 49 CFR, Part 40.43.
To prevent unauthorized access to items that could compromise the integrity of the test. 49 CFR, Part 40.43
You may drink up to 40 ounces of fluid, distributed reasonably through a period of up to three hours or until you can provide a sufficient urine specimen, whichever occurs first. 49 CFR, Part 40.193 (b)(2)
DOT regulations state you are only allowed to drink up to 40 ounces of fluid to try to avoid dilution of the specimen. 49 CFR, Part 40.193 (b)(2)
All collections under DOT agency drug testing regulations must be split specimen collections. DOT requires the specimen to contain at least 45 mL of urine for a split specimen (30 mL in vial A & 15 mL in vial B). The split specimen exists to provide the employee with “due process” in the event he or she desires to challenge the results of the primary specimen. The donor may request (within 72 hours of the MRO’s positive decision) to have the split specimen (“B” vial) tested at a different laboratory. 49 CFR, Part 40.71 (a), 49 CFR, Part 40.71 (2) & (3) 49 CFR, Part 40.171
The selection for random testing is made by a scientifically valid method. A computer based random number generator is matched with the employee's ID number or other comparable identifying number. Each employee selected for random testing must have an equal chance of being tested each time selections are made. 49 CFR, Part 382.305 Guidance, Question 6
The laboratory that tests your specimen will send your test results to a Medical Review Officer (MRO) and if your result is positive the MRO will call you regarding your test result. The MRO will discuss with you any possible medication you are taking which could affect the outcome of the drug test. If there is a prescription the MRO will ask for the prescription information and pharmacy and verify this. If everything is verified, your test result will have a final result of negative.
