Random Testing Instructions

DOT requires drivers to Get Tested Immediately when notified.  DOT only wants to know what is in the driver's system at the time of notification.

• Call the collection site to confirm it performs DOT testing and accepts walk-ins
• Drivers should only sign DOT forms listing their employer/company name

Owner-Operators

Once you know you have been selected - by checking your account or receiving an email notification or reminder - you are considered notified and must Get Tested Immediately.

1. Stop driving immediately
2. Order your test to obtain the QPassport
3. Call to confirm the site is open and accepting walk-ins
4. Get Tested Immediately

• Failure to Get Tested Immediately after notification is considered a refusal-to-test
• Being on vacation does not excuse owner operators from being randomly tested
• Email notifications and reminders do not change the original selection date

Employers

Once you know a driver has been selected - by checking your account or receiving an email notification or reminder - you must immediately notify the driver to get tested immediately.

1. Order the test to obtain the QPassport
2. Call to confirm the site is open and accepting walk-ins
3. Notify the driver to Get Tested Immediately

• Delaying notification may increase legal liability if an accident occurs before testing
• Failure to Get Tested Immediately after notification is considered a refusal-to-test
• Email notifications and reminders do not change the original selection date

Online Ordering

Drug Tests

Once enrolled, only DOT drug tests ordered through Express Labs are accepted.  If online ordering is unavailable, use the Quest Paper Forms provided by Express Labs.

1. Log in to your Express Labs account and click Order Drug Tests
2. Select Random
3. Use the Site Locator to select a collection site
4. Click Complete Order
5. Call to confirm the site is open and accepting walk-ins
6. Check your email for the QPassport (usually within 1 hour), then bring it with photo ID to the site

Breath Alcohol Tests

Order DOT Breath Alcohol Tests through your Express Labs account.  If Online Ordering is unavailable, use any DOT Breath Alcohol Testing site and email the results to Express Labs.

1. Log in to your Express Labs account and click Order Alcohol Tests
2. Select Random
3. Use the Site Locator to select a Collection Site
4. Click Complete Order
5. Call to confirm the site is open and accepting walk-ins
6. Check your email for the QPassport (usually within 1 hour), then bring it with photo ID to the site

Deactivating Drivers

If you know a driver is unavailable for the selection period - deactivate the driver (terminated, on leave, vacation, etc.).  Once a selected driver is deactivated, another driver is automatically re-selected.

• Re-selections are only permitted during the current selection period
• Deactivate Drivers - View Instructions

Random Testing Program

Notification Process

Random selections are emailed and posted to your Express Labs account each January, April, July, and October.  Your Express Labs account serves as the official notification of random selections.

• If you do not receive an email, log in and review your account on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.

Random Testing Pool

DOT requires drivers to be added immediately to the random testing pool when Express Labs Medical Review Officer (MRO) reports negative pre-employment DOT drug test.

• Drivers become eligible for the next selection period
• Driver may be selected immediately after a negative pre-employment drug test is reported

Random Selections

Every active driver has an equal chance of being selected for Drug or Alcohol testing each quarter,

• Drivers may be selected 0–4 times per year
• Previous selections do not affect future selections
• If a selected driver is deactivated, another driver is automatically re-selected, and a driver may be selected more than once in the same quarter.

Random Selection Frequency

Every active driver has an equal chance of being selected each quarter.

• Random selections are computer-generated
• Some drivers may be selected more often than others, while others may not be selected every year

Refusal-to-Test

Drivers who do not Get Tested Immediately after notification are considered to have refused-to-test, which has the same consequences as a positive result.

• Employers must determine and report refusals-to-test to the FMCSA Clearinghouse
• Express Labs determines and reports owner-operator refusals-to-test to the FMCSA Clearinghouse
• DOT Policy for Refusal-to-Test - View Policy
• DOT "Get Tested Immediately" Policy (49 CFR Part 382) (page 19) - View Policy

Random Testing - Compliance

DOT Policy for Incomplete Random Selections

Employers must immediately notify selected drivers to complete required random testing within the selection period.  Owner-operators must Get Tested Immediately after notification.  Incomplete random testing may place your company and other consortium members at risk of DOT non-compliance in accordance with 49 CFR Part 382.  Failure to complete required random testing selections is considered non-compliance with DOT regulations.  Once enrolled, drug test results from other providers cannot be accepted.

• Violation: Non-Compliance with Random Selections
• DOT Civil Penalties: Up to $10,000 per violation
• DOT Regulation: 49 CFR §382.305
• Express Labs Policy: Removal from the Consortium
• Annual Testing Rates: 50% Drug • 10% Alcohol
• 2025 MIS Report - View Report

Express Labs FMCSA Random Drug & Alcohol Consortium
Random Testing | Updated 2026