Adding Drivers to the Random Pool Instructions

• Send Drivers for Pre-Employment DOT Drug Testing after Completing the Drug & Alcohol Policy and Full Query in the FMCSA Clearinghouse.  After Enrolling, Express Labs does not accept Drug Test Results from other companies

1 - Drug & Alcohol Policy - Click Here

• DOT Requires that Drivers must be provided with a Completed Copy of the Signed & Dated Drug & Alcohol Policy Prior to Employers being Permitted to send Drivers for Pre-Employment Drug Testing.  This Requirement is due to the Policy containing a Release that Grants the Employer Authorization to send the Driver for Testing

2 - Full Query Instructions - Click Here

• DOT Requires Employers to Conduct a Full Query on Prospective Drivers during the Hiring Process to Check for any Prior Drug and Alcohol Violations in the Clearinghouse to make sure the Driver is Cleared to Drive.  Employers & Drivers must be Registered in the Clearinghouse to Conduct Queries.  Drivers must provide Consent to allow Employers to access their Clearinghouse Records.  Employers are Required to Purchase Queries in the Clearinghouse
• FMCSA Clearinghouse Registration - Click Here
• Full Query Instructions - Click Here
• Driver Consent Instructions - Click Here
• Purchasing Queries Instructions - Click Here

3 - Drug Testing Instructions - Click Here

• Members Must Order Drug Tests Online in your Express Labs account or use the Paper Quest Diagnostics 5-Part NCR Custody & Control Forms (CCF) that Express Labs provides (Only use Paper Forms if you can't Order Online).  After Enrolling, Express Labs does not accept Drug Test Results from other companies
• Only Notify Drivers after you have received the QPassport and have Called the Collection Site to Confirm the Site is Open and Performing DOT Drug Testing Collections before Notifying Drivers to Drive to the Site.  Some Sites may have Temporarily Closed or have Reduced Hours due to Covid, Staffing or Weather Issues or may require an Appointment.  Some Sites may not Start a Collection with less than 3 hours of closing because DOT Requires Drivers to produce a sample within 3 hours while drinking up to 40oz of water in the waiting room

4 - When are Drivers Added to the Random Pool & Cleared to Drive?

• Drivers are Added to the Random Pool & Cleared to Drive when Negative Pre-Employment DOT Drug Test Results are Reported by Express Labs MRO after Completing the Drug & Alcohol Policy and Full Query in the FMCSA Clearinghouse

* Supervisor Training Course (Online)

• DOT Requires all Supervisors take the Supervisor Reasonable Suspicion Training Course to Add Drivers to the Random Pool (Owner Operators are Exempt).  The Purpose of this Training is to enable Supervisors to Recognize and Determine the Signs and Symptoms of Drug and Alcohol Abuse to send Drivers for Reasonable Suspicion Drug or Alcohol Testing
• How to Order the Online Course: The FMCSA Supervisor Reasonable Suspicion Training Course can be Ordered on the Left Side Tabs in your Express Labs Account.  Express Labs charges $100 for the Online Course
• Certificate: When the Supervisor Passes the Course the Certificate of Completion can be Printed

Frequently Asked Questions

When does DOT Allows Drivers to be Added to the Random Pool & Cleared to Drive?

• Upon Enrolling: DOT Allows Drivers to be Added to the Random Pool, during Enrollment if the Employer has Negative DOT Pre-Employment Drug Test Results and the Drivers have been in a Random Pool within the previous 30 Days of Enrollment.  DOT Requires the Drug & Alcohol Policy and Full Query in the FMCSA Clearinghouse to be Completed for Drivers to be Cleared to Drive.
• After Enrolling: DOT Allows Drivers to be Added to the Random Pool & Cleared to Drive when Negative Pre-Employment DOT Drug Test Results are Reported by Express Labs MRO after Completing the Drug & Alcohol Policy and Full Query in the FMCSA Clearinghouse.  After Enrolling, Express Labs does not accept Drug Test Results from other companies
• Reactivating Drivers:  DOT Requires a new Pre-Employment DOT Drug Test if a Driver has not been in a Random Pool within the previous 30 Days.  Drivers are Reactivated to the Random Pool & Cleared to Drive when Negative Pre-Employment DOT Drug Test Results are Reported by Express Labs MRO after Completing the Drug & Alcohol Policy and Full Query in the FMCSA Clearinghouse.  After Enrolling, Express Labs does not accept Drug Test Results from other companies

What are DOT's Requirements to Add Drivers to the Random Pool & Cleared to Drive?

• Negative DOT Pre-Employment Drug Test Results
• Completed Drug & Alcohol Policy
• Full Query in the FMCSA Clearinghouse
• Supervisor Training Course Certificate (Owner Operators are Exempt)

Why Members must complete All Drug Testing with Express Labs?

• Members Must Order Drug Tests Online in your Express Labs account or use the Paper Quest Diagnostics Custody & Control Forms (CCF) that Express Labs provides (Only use Paper Forms if you can't Order Online) because All Results must be posted on Express Labs Consortium MIS Report that all Members need for DOT Audits & Inspections.  DOT does not allow "Private" Testing because if a Driver Tested Positive, DOT would have no assurance Members would send Positive Results to the Consortium or FMCSA Clearinghouse

What is the FMCSA Clearinghouse?  Click Here

• The FMCSA Clearinghouse acts as a Centralized Database for Storing Records of Drug and Alcohol Violations by CDL holders, including Positive Test Results, Refusals-to-Test, and completed Return-to-Duty processes.  The FMCSA Clearinghouse is a Critical Tool in improving Safety on the Roads by Identifying and Addressing Substance Abuse Issues among Commercial Drivers.  It helps ensure that Drivers who are Unfit due to Drug or Alcohol use are not allowed to Operate Commercial Vehicles, Reducing the Risk of Accidents and Injuries on the Highways

What are Queries?

• Queries in the FMCSA Clearinghouse are Searches or Requests for Information made by Employers.  There are 2 Types of Queries:

1. Full Queries: DOT Requires Employers to conduct a Full Query on Prospective Drivers during the Hiring Process to Check for any Prior Drug and Alcohol Violations in the Clearinghouse.  They must also conduct Annual Limited Queries on their Current Drivers to Check for any Violations in the Clearinghouse to make sure the Driver is Cleared to Drive.  Drivers must provide Consent to allow Employers to access their Clearinghouse Records.  Employers & Drivers must be Registered in the Clearinghouse to Conduct Queries.  Employers are Required to Purchase Queries in the Clearinghouse
2. Limited Queries: DOT Requires Employers to Conduct Limited Queries for All Drivers within 1 Year of Driver's Hire Date.  If Records are Found when Conducting a Limited Query then a Full Query is Required within 24 hours.  Employers must receive Written Consent from Drivers to Conduct Limited Queries.  Print the Sample Consent Form for Limited Queries - Click Here

What is Driver Consent?

• Commercial Drivers must provide their Consent to allow Employers to access their Clearinghouse Records.  Employers must Receive Written Consent from Drivers for Limited Queries and Electronic Consent from Drivers for Full Queries

What else does the FMCSA Clearinghouse Provide?

• Reporting Violations: Medical Review Officers (MROs), Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) and Employers are Required to Report Drug and Alcohol Violations of CDL Drivers to the Clearinghouse.  This helps ensure that Drivers who have Violated Drug and Alcohol Regulations cannot hide their History by Switching Employers.  Positive Testing Results and Return-to-Duty Processes are Recorded in the Clearinghouse
• Notification: The Clearinghouse sends Notifications to Employers if a Current or Prospective Driver has a Positive Drug or Alcohol Test Result or has Refused-to-Test.  This Notification helps Employers make Informed Decisions regarding Hiring and Retaining Drivers
• Return-to-Duty Process: The Clearinghouse Facilitates Communication between Employers, Medical Review Officers (MROs), Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) during a Driver's Compliance with the Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up Process
• Privacy and Consent: Drivers are Required provide their Consent for Information to be Reported and Accessed in the Clearinghouse.  Drivers have the ability to Review their Own Records and Dispute any Inaccuracies