Return-to-Duty & Follow-Up Instructions

• Drivers are Added to the Random Pool & Cleared to Drive when Negative Return-to-Duty (RTD) DOT Drug Test Results (Observed) are Reported by Express Labs MRO, the Employer Posts the Negative Return-to-Duty (RTD) DOT Drug Test Results to the FMCSA Clearinghouse, Completes the Drug & Alcohol Policy and a Full Query in the Clearinghouse.  The RTD Drug Test takes the place of the Pre-Employment Drug Test.  After Enrolling, Express Labs does not accept Drug Test Results from other companies
• Follow-Up DOT Drug Tests (Observed): The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Evaluation Directs Employers when Drivers can take a Return-to-Duty (RTD) Drug Test and how many Follow-Up Drug Tests (Observed) are Required (Minimum 6 for 1 year up to 5 years Max).  DOT Requires Follow-Up Testing to be Spread evenly throughout the Year.  DOT Requires Drivers to Get Tested Immediately when Notified for Follow-Up Testing, or it is a Refusal-to-Test

How to Report RTD Results to the Clearinghouse - Click Here

• Drivers are Cleared to Drive when the Employer Posts the Negative Return-to-Duty (RTD) DOT Drug Test Results to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.  Express Labs does not Report RTD Results to the Clearinghouse

How to Report Follow-Up Results to the Clearinghouse - Click Here

• DOT Requires the Employer to Report the Date the Final Follow-Up DOT Drug Test Results were Completed to the Clearinghouse.  Express Labs does not Report the Date the Follow-Up Plan was Completed to the Clearinghouse

1 - Drug & Alcohol Policy - Click Here

• DOT Requires Drivers to receive a Full Copy of the Signed & Dated Drug & Alcohol Policy.  The Drug & Alcohol Policy has a Release that Authorizes the Employer 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.  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
• 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

• Call the Collection Site:  Only Notify the Driver after you have received the QPassport and have Called the Collection Site to Confirm they have a Collector that is the Same Gender to perform the Return-to-Duty (RTD) DOT Drug Test, which is under Direct Observation and to Confirm the Site is Open.  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
• 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).  After Enrolling, Express Labs does not accept Drug Test Results from other companies

Frequently Asked Questions

When are Drivers Allowed by DOT to be Added to the Random Pool & Cleared to Drive

• DOT Allows Driver to be Added to the Random Pool and Cleared to Drive when Negative Return-to-Duty (RTD) DOT Drug Test Results (Observed) are Reported by Express Labs MRO, the Employer Posts the Negative Return-to-Duty (RTD) DOT Drug Test Results to the FMCSA Clearinghouse, Completes the Drug & Alcohol Policy and a Full Query in the Clearinghouse.  The RTD Drug Test takes the place of the Pre-Employment Drug Test.  After Enrolling, Express Labs does not accept Drug Test Results from other companies

Return-to-Duty & Follow-Up Drug Testing Fees

• Express Labs charges $125 for Return-to-Duty & Follow-Up Drug Testing at In-Network Collection Sites, which Includes the Laboratory Testing, Medical Review Officer Services (MRO) and Collection Fees 
• Observed Collections cost an additional $45 at Preferred Sites and $400 at Quest Diagnostics Sites

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 5-Part NCR 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

What if an Owner Operator Test Positive?

• Express Labs does not Manage the Return-to-Duty/Follow-Up Process for Owner Operators.  Owner Operators who have a Violation in the FMCSA Clearinghouse can not Enroll in Express Labs Consortium.  Owner Operators who Test Positive for Drugs or Alcohol or Refuse-to-Test will be Terminated from Express Labs Consortium