If you work in the trucking industry, you know that truck drivers must take a drug test before they can start taking hauls. If they test positive for illegal drugs, you will not be able to hire them. A driver must have a drug test after most accidents. If they fail this test, they may have their license suspended and will have to complete a return to duty test.
Trucking companies are required to do random drug tests on their drivers as well. According to the professionals at Simplex Group, drug tests are not inexpensive, but they are necessary to stay compliant with the rules of the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration. If you use a compliance company, they should be able to help you arrange for drug testing. It can be helpful to know what to look for in a drug screening company.
What Drugs Are Drivers Tested For?
Your drivers will be tested for five basic kinds of drugs:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- PCP
- Amphetamines and methamphetamines
Marijuana is currently legal in certain states. However, it is illegal on a federal level and it is certainly illegal to drive a commercial vehicle under the influence of marijuana. This is true even if it has been prescribed to you by a doctor.
Many drivers have tried to use cocaine to stay awake during their hauls. Hence, the FMCSA requires a test to be done for this drug.
Opiates are a growing concern and the trucking industry. Opioids can adversely affect a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. A person who takes them may experience dizziness or sedation. This can affect a person’s motor skills. A driver may not be able to concentrate on their job if they are on opioids.
PCP is a dangerous hallucinogenic That can affect a person’s perception of the world around them. It also can change their behavior and their mood.
When a person is on PCP, they may feel disconnected from reality and as though they are floating outside of their body. Users have been known to have delusions of grandeur when they are on PCP. One cannot operate a motor vehicle of any kind when they are on this drug, let alone a semi-truck.
Amphetamines stimulate the central nervous system. They are often prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorder. They can also be used to treat obesity and narcolepsy. Although amphetamines can be legitimately prescribed by a doctor, they are not safe to take when driving a big rig. This is because they can cause blurred vision, seizures, and heart attacks. It can cause a person to have dizziness or exhaustion. These side effects would be extremely dangerous when driving a truck.
Methamphetamine is an illegal drug that has a similar effect as amphetamines. It is made out of household products. A person can become addicted to methamphetamine after one use as it causes an immediate sense of euphoria. A person can become extremely dizzy and confused when they come down from this dangerous drug. It causes hyperactivity which is why it is considered so dangerous for truck drivers.
Although it is illegal for a truck driver to operate a vehicle for over 11 hours, some drivers do. Methamphetamine use is common among truck drivers who violate this rule.
When Must You Give a Driver a Drug Test?
Urine tests are always used in FMCSA drug tests. Saliva swabs are not permitted. In addition to a driver’s pre-employment screening, there are several situations in which you must give a driver a drug test.
- When the driver’s negligence has caused injury or fatality
- They are returning to work after a failed drug test
- An unannounced test is required by the FMCSA
- A manager has reasonable suspicion
How Drivers Are Selected for a Random Test
A company’s driver’s names must be put into a DOT drug testing pool. Test subjects are selected by a computer program. Every driver in the pool has an equal chance of being selected for a test. When a driver is chosen, they will be tested right away. You must test between 25% and 50% of your employees for drugs and around 10% to 25% for alcohol.
What Is Considered Reasonable Suspicion?
When a trained supervisor notices behavior that is normally associated with the abuse of alcohol or drugs, they can order a test. The supervisor must observe specific behavior such as slurred speech or unsteady walking.
The supervisor or trucking company must be able to state what they have observed very clearly. They must be able to do this immediately after making the observation. The drug test should be given right away.
Return to Duty Tests
When a driver returns to work after having failed a drug test, they will have to be tested at least six times over the course of a year. These tests must be absolutely random so as not to give the driver time to prepare.
Drug tests are administered at facilities that are approved by the US Department of Health and Human Services. These tests will be performed by a trained collector who will seal them and label them for shipment.
Electronic Records
If a driver has failed a drug test, you must keep the records of any subsequent tests electronically stored for five years. You must keep other drug test records electronically stored for two years. Failure to do so may result in a failed audit from the FMCSA. A trucking compliance company can help make sure that all of your records are up to date.
Trucking companies are required to provide information about drug safety and rehabilitation to their drivers. It is a very good idea to have a drug education program in place.
Drug testing greatly increases the safety and productivity of any trucking company. When your drivers are clean and sober, your loads will be delivered on time, and in one piece, the public will be safe, and you can concentrate on profits and company expansion.
