Random Testing Instructions

Random Testing Process

Selection Posted → Order QPassport → Call the Site → Notify Driver → Report for Testing → Test Completed

Owner-Operators

Once you are notified for random testing (by email or viewed account), DOT requires you to get tested immediately after you have called the site to confirm they are open and have obtained the QPassport.

1. Stop driving immediately
2. Order the test to obtain the QPassport
3. Call the collection site to confirm they are open
4. DOT requires drivers to report for testing immediately upon notification

• Failure to get tested immediately is considered a refusal-to-test and treated as a positive result
• Delays in testing may result in legal liability if you are in an accident before testing

Employers

Once you receive the random selections (by email or viewed account), DOT requires you to notify your drivers immediately after you have called the site to confirm they are open and have obtained the QPassport.  DOT requires drivers get tested immediately when notified.

1. Order the test to obtain the QPassport
2. Call the collection site to confirm they are open
3. Notify the driver immediately and send the driver for testing
4. DOT requires drivers to report for testing immediately upon notification

• Failure to report is considered a refusal-to-test and treated as a positive result
• Delays in notifying drivers may result in legal liability if the driver is in an accident before testing

Drug Testing – View Instructions

Order drug tests online (QPassports) through your Express Labs account or use Quest paper forms provided by Express Labs if you can not order online.

• Call the collection site to confirm they are open
• All DOT drug tests must be ordered through Express Labs
• Results from other consortiums or third-party programs are not accepted

Alcohol Testing – View Instructions

Order breath alcohol tests online (QPassports) through 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

Deactivating Drivers – View Instructions

DOT requires employers to deactivate drivers immediately if they are not active or unavailable for testing during the selection period (terminated, on leave, vacation, etc.).  DOT requires owner-operators to deactivate themselves if they are unavailable for any reason before being selected for random testing. 

• Maintaining an accurate driver list is required for DOT compliance which also helps prevent unnecessary or duplicate selections.

Re-Selections

If a selected driver is deactivated, another driver is automatically selected.

• This may result in a driver being selected more than once in the same quarter
• DOT allows re-selections within the selection period

Express Labs Random Testing Program

Notification Process

Notifications are sent by email and posted in your account in January, April, July, October.

• If an email notification is not received, members must log into their account to review posted random selections on: Feb 1, May 1, Aug 1, Nov 1
• The member portal is the official source of notification.

How Random Selections Work

Drivers are placed in a shared consortium testing pool and selections are generated randomly each quarter (January, April, July, October)

• Each driver has an equal chance of being selected each quarter

When are Drivers Added to the Random Pool?

Drivers are automatically added to the random pool (and eligible to be randomly selected) once negative pre-employment DOT drug test results are reported by the Express Labs MRO (Medical Review Officer).

When are Drivers Eligible for Random Selection?

Once added to the pool, drivers are eligible during the next selection period.

• Drivers may be selected during any selection period after being added

Can Drivers be Selected Multiple Times a Year?

Yes. Drivers may be selected more than once during the year.

• Random selections cannot exclude previously selected drivers

Can Drivers be Selected Multiple Times in the Same Quarter?

Yes, if a selected driver is deactivated, another driver is selected.

• This may result in a driver being selected more than once in the same quarter

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

Yes, once a negative result is received, the driver is added to the pool.

• A pre-employment test does not satisfy DOT random testing requirements

DOT Policy for Refusal-to-Test

Drivers who do not report for testing immediately after notification are considered to have refused to test, which has the same consequences as a positive result.

• Employers must determine if a driver has refused-to-test and report the violation to the FMCSA Clearinghouse
• DOT requires Express Labs to determine if an owner-operator driver has refused-to-test and report the violation to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
• DOT Policy for Refusal-to-Test - View Policy
• DOT Policy for "Get Tested Immediately" (page 19) - View Policy

DOT Policy for Incomplete Random Selections

Employers, owner-operators, and their Designated Employer Representative (DER) are responsible for ensuring that all selected drivers report for and complete required random tests immediately after notification in accordance with 49 CFR Part 382.

Failure to complete required random testing selections is considered non-compliance with DOT regulations.

• Violation: Non-Compliance with Random Selections
• Civil Penalties: Up to $10,000 per violation
• Regulation: 49 CFR §382.305
• Express Labs Policy: Removal from the consortium for incomplete selections

Compliance Impact of Incomplete Selections

Incomplete random selections negatively impact Express Labs ability to maintain compliance for all 10,000+ member companies.  When selections are not completed, the consortium risks falling below these required testing rates, putting Express Labs and all member companies at risk of non-compliance.

Under FMCSA regulations, Express Labs must ensure the required percentage of drivers tested each year.  DOT requires random drug and alcohol testing programs to meet minimum annual testing rates:

• 50% of drivers tested for drugs each year
• 10% of drivers tested for alcohol each year
• All testing activity is reported in the DOT MIS report - View Report

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