Random Testing Instructions

DOT Requires Drivers to Get Tested Immediately when Notified without any Prior Notice.  Immediately means once a Driver is Notified, All the Driver's actions must lead to an Immediate Collection.

• Owner-Operators: DOT Requires Owner-Operators to Get Tested Immediately upon learning you were Selected, whether by Email Notification or by Checking your Account.  Delayed Testing may Result in Legal Liability and Non-Compliance with DOT if you are Not Tested and later involved in an Accident, particularly one involving Injuries or Fatalities.
• Employers: DOT Requires Employers to Notify Selected Drivers as Soon as Possible During the Selection Period, without any Prior Notice.  Delayed Notification may Result in Legal Liability and Non-Compliance with DOT if a Driver is Not Tested and is later involved in an Accident, particularly one involving Injuries or Fatalities.

Advantages of Ordering Drug & Alcohol Tests Online

• Faster Results
• No Spelling Errors
• Random Results Automatically Matched to the Driver Selected

Drug Testing Instructions - Click Here

• Members are Required to Order Drug Tests Online in your Express Labs Account or use the Paper Quest Forms provided by Express Labs if you can not Order Online.  After Enrolling, Express Labs does not accept Drug Test Results from other Companies.

Alcohol Testing Instructions - Click Here

• Members can Order Breath Alcohol Tests Online in your Express Labs Account or Choose Any Site, Pay for the Test and Send Express Labs the Results if you can not Order Online.

Call the Collection Site to Confirm they are Open

• Call the Collection Site to Confirm they are Open and Performing DOT Drug or Alcohol Testing Collections before Notifying Drivers or Driving to the Site (Check if the Selection is for Drug or Alcohol Testing)

Deactivating Drivers Instructions - Click Here

1. Go to Manage Drivers on the Top Tabs
2. Click Deactivate Driver
3. Click Save Changes
4. Click Continue to Deactivate the Driver

Deactivating Drivers Requirements

• Employers: DOT Requires Employers to Immediately Deactivate Any Driver who is Terminated, Not Hired, or Unavailable for Random Testing During the Quarter Selected.  Deactivated Drivers who were Selected can only be Reactivated with a new Pre-Employment Drug Test.
• Seasonal Drivers: DOT Requires Employers to Deactivate Drivers who are Unavailable Before the Selection Date Due to Seasonal Breaks, Extended Leave, or Temporary Non-Driving Status.  DOT Requires a New Pre-Employment Drug Test Before the Driver can Return.
• Owner-Operators: DOT Requires Owner-Operators to Deactivate Themselves if Unavailable for Random Testing Prior to Selection Due to Extended Leave, Medical Absence, Temporary Non-Driving Status, or International Travel.  A New Pre-Employment Drug Test is Required Before Returning.
• Active Drivers List: A Current Certificate & Active Driver List is Emailed to Members on the 1st of every Month to Review your Active Drivers List with Instructions to Add & Deactivate Drivers.

Re-Selections

• DOT Requires a Re-Selection from your Remaining Active Drivers when a Driver is Deactivated who was Selected for Random Testing, which may result in a Driver being Selected Multiple Times in a Quarter.  DOT only allows Re-Selections during the Selection Period.

Frequently Asked Questions - Click Here

When are Random Selections?

Express Labs Conducts Quarterly Computerized Random Selections in:

• January
• April
• July
• October

How are Members Notified for Random Testing?

Members are Notified by Email and in your Express Labs Account.  If you do not receive an Email, Log in to your Express Labs Account 4 Days a Year and Check on the Top Left Tabs in "Random Selections" on:

• February 1st
• May 1st
• August 1st
• November 1st

What are the Random Selections Periods?

• January 1st until March 31st
• April 1st until June 30th
• July 1st until September 30st
• October 1st until December 31st

When are Drivers Added to the Random Pool and Eligible to be Randomly Selected?

• DOT Requires Drivers to be Added Immediately to the Random Pool and be Eligible to be Randomly Selected when Negative DOT Pre-Employment Drug Test Results are Reported by Express Labs MRO.

When can Drivers be Selected?

• DOT Requires Every Active Driver to have an Equal Chance of being Selected Each Quarter and may be Selected up to 4 Times per Year.

Can a Driver be Selected in July after being Selected in January & April?

• Yes, DOT does not want Drivers who are Selected in January and April to think they can not be Selected in July.

Can a Driver be Selected right after receiving Negative Pre-Employment Results?

• Yes, DOT does not want Drivers to assume they are Exempt from Random Testing just because they recently passed a Pre-Employment Test.

What is a Refusal-to-Test?

DOT Regulations Require that any Driver who Fails to Report Immediately for a Random Drug or Alcohol Test upon Notification must be Reported to the FMCSA Clearinghouse as a Refusal-to-Test.  A Refusal is treated the same as a Positive Test Result under Federal Law and carries the same Compliance Consequences.

• DOT's Definition for "Get Tested Immediately" page 19 Click Here
• DOT's Policy for "What happens if a Driver Refuses-to-Test" Click Here

What if Random Testing is not Completed?

DOT Does not allow any Incomplete Random Selections.  Companies who fail to complete Random Selections are in Non-Compliance with DOT.  Drivers who are not Notified or not Tested after being Notified may Result in Legal Liability and Non-Compliance with DOT if a Driver is later involved in an Accident, particularly one involving Injuries or Fatalities.  Express Labs must comply with DOT's Mandate to have a Minimum of 50% of Drivers Tested for Drugs & 10% for Alcohol, which is posted on the MIS Report that All Members need for DOT Audits.

• Violation: Non-Compliance with Random Selections
• Fine: Up to $10,000+ per Violation
• Regulation: 49 CFR § 382.305
• Express Labs: Removal from the Consortium
• 2024 MIS Report - Click Here