Random Testing Reference Guide

Program Overview

• 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
• Selections are conducted quarterly and all testing activity is reported in the DOT MIS report.

How Random Selections Work

• Drivers are placed in a shared consortium testing pool
• Selections are generated randomly each quarter (January, April, July, October)
• Each driver has an equal chance of being selected
• Drivers may be selected multiple times, including within the same quarter

Random Testing Compliance Rules

• Drivers must be available for testing at all times while active in the program
• Drivers who are unavailable must be removed before selections occur
• Selections cannot be delayed, changed, or canceled
• If a selected driver is deactivated, another driver is automatically selected
• Drivers must report for testing immediately upon notification

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 notification source

Email notifications are provided as a convenience, but the member portal is the official source of notification.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are drivers added to the random pool?

• Drivers are automatically added after negative pre-employment drug test results are reported by Express Labs

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

When must random tests be completed?

• DOT requires drivers to report for testing immediately upon notification
• Testing must reflect substances present at the time of notification

Can drivers be selected multiple times?

• Yes, drivers may be selected more than once per year
• Drivers may be selected multiple times within the same quarter
• 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 after a pre-employment test?

• 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

Employer Responsibilities

• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date driver list
• Remove drivers who are inactive or unavailable
• Ensure selected drivers report for testing immediately

DOT requires employers to deactivate drivers who are:

• Terminated
• Not hired
• On seasonal break
• On extended leave
• Not actively driving
• On vacation
• On international travel
• On medical leave or procedure
• Otherwise unavailable for random testing

Compliance & Violations

• Failure to test immediately is considered a Refusal-to-Test
• DOT policy requires immediate reporting of violations

Incomplete Random Selections

Failure to complete required random testing selections is considered non-compliance and may result in:

• DOT violations
• Civil penalties
• Removal from the consortium

Compliance Responsibility

Participation in the Express Labs consortium does not relieve employers or owner-operators of their responsibility to comply with DOT regulations.

• Employers and DERs are responsible for ensuring drivers report for testing immediately
• Employers must maintain accurate driver records

Failure to follow required testing procedures may result in DOT violations, FMCSA Clearinghouse reporting, or removal from the program.

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