Positive Results & Refusal-to-Test Instructions

Positive Results Instructions

Employers must remove the driver from safety-sensitive duties immediately and provide a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) referral.

SAP Referral (Substance Abuse Professional)

• Provide the driver with a SAP referral immediately
• Document that the driver was given a SAP referral
• Find an SAP Referral - View SAPs

Clearinghouse Reporting

• Positive drug test results are reported to the Clearinghouse by the Express Labs MRO

Can Drivers be Re-Tested?

• No. DOT does not allow re-testing after a positive drug test result

Split Specimen Testing (Contested Results)

When a driver requests split specimen testing through the MRO, the process begins immediately.  Sample B is sent to a second SAMHSA-certified laboratory for additional testing.

• Drivers have the right to request split specimen testing
• Employers may not delay, cancel, or interfere with the process
• Drivers must contact the MRO within the required timeframe
• Express Labs charges $200 per positive drug test for split specimen shipping and testing

Refusal-to-Test Instructions

It's the employer's responsibility — not the collector's — to decide whether a driver's conduct counts as a refusal to test - based on the collector's notes plus any information the collector or driver provides.

Employers must remove the driver from safety-sensitive duties immediately and provide a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) referral.  A refusal-to-test must be treated the same as a positive drug test.  In the event of an Audit - you need to be able to show exactly why it was (or wasn't) a refusal.

Refusal-to-Test Includes:

• Failure to appear for testing
• Leaving the collection site before the test is completed
• Refusing to provide a specimen
• Tampering with a specimen
• DOT Policy for Refusal-to-Test - View Policy
• DOT Policy for "Get Tested Immediately" (page 19) - View Policy

SAP Referral (Substance Abuse Professional)

• Provide the driver with a SAP referral immediately
• Document that the driver was given a SAP referral
• Find an SAP Referral - View SAPs

Clearinghouse Reporting

• DOT requires employers to report refusals to the Clearinghouse – View Instructions

Positive Alcohol Test Instructions

Employers must remove the driver from safety-sensitive duties immediately and provide a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) referral.

• Clearinghouse Reporting - DOT requires employers to report positive alcohol tests to the Clearinghouse – View Instructions

Alcohol Test Results

• 0.04 or higher — Remove from duty and begin the SAP process
• 0.02–0.039 — Remove from duty for 24 hours
• Below 0.02 — Negative result

SAP Referral (Substance Abuse Professional)

• Provide the driver with a SAP referral immediately
• Document that the driver was given a SAP referral
• Find an SAP Referral - View SAPs

FMCSA Clearinghouse Reporting

• Clearinghouse Reporting – View Instructions

Express Labs FMCSA Random Drug & Alcohol Consortium
Positive Results | Refusal-to-Test | Updated 2026