Frequently Asked Questions

• Everything to keep your Company in Compliance

✅ Adding & Deactivating Drivers Instructions  - Click Here

• Drivers are Added to the Random Pool when Negative DOT Pre-Employment Drug Test Results are Reported by Express Labs MRO
• DOT Requires Employers to Deactivate Drivers Immediately from the Random Pool who are Terminated, Not Hired, Seasonal or Unable to be Random Tested for Any Reason

✅ Drug Testing Instructions - Click Here

• The 2 Options for Drug Testing are Ordering Online in your Express Labs Account or using the Quest Paper Forms we provide.  After Enrolling, Express Labs does not accept Drug Test Results from other Companies

✅ Breath Alcohol Testing Instructions - Click Here

• The 2 Options for Breath Alcohol Testing are Ordering Online in your Express Labs Account or Choose Any Site, Pay for the Test, Send Express Labs the Results

✅ Random Testing Instructions - Click Here

• Express Labs performs 4 Quarterly Computerized Random Selections and Emails Random Selections and Posts the Random Selections in Member's Express Labs Accounts in January, April, July & October
• Express Labs Emails Random Selections and Posts the Random Selections in Member's Express Labs Accounts in January, April, July & October

✅ Positive Results & Refusal-to-Test Instructions - Click Here

• DOT Requires Employers to Remove Drivers from the Road Immediately and give Drivers an SAP Referral who Test Positive
• DOT Requires Employers to Remove Drivers from the Road Immediately, give the Driver an SAP Referral and Report the Refusal to the FMCSA Clearinghouse

✅ Return-to-Duty & Follow-Up Process - Click Here

• Drivers are Added to the Random Pool when Negative Return-to-Duty Drug Test Results are Reported by Express Labs MRO
• Drivers must undergo Follow-Up Drug Testing (at least 6 tests in 12 months, up to 5 years)

✅ Post-Accident Instructions - Click Here

• DOT Requires Post-Accident Drug and Alcohol Testing for DOT Drivers involved in Accidents as per FMCSA Regulations under certain conditions

✅ Who is Required to take the Supervisor Training Course?

• DOT Requires Employers (Including Owner Operators who hire Drivers) must undergo Reasonable Suspicion Drug and Alcohol Training to Recognize and Determine the Signs and Symptoms of Drug and Alcohol Abuse to send Drivers for Reasonable Suspicion Drug or Alcohol Testing.  The Supervisor Training Course can be Ordered in your Account on the Left Side Tabs

✅ What is the FMCSA Clearinghouse?  Click Here

• The FMCSA Clearinghouse acts as a Centralized Database for Storing Records of Drug and Alcohol Violations by Drivers including Positive Results, Refusal-to-Test and the Return-to-Duty Process
  • DOT Requires Employers, Drivers & Owner Operators to Register in the FMCSA Clearinghouse
  • Employers & Owner Operators must Conduct a Full Query in the Clearinghouse to Confirm Drivers do not have any Violations and are Cleared to Drive (Limited Queries for All Drivers Yearly)

✅ What Drug & Alcohol Tests are Required?

• Pre-Employment: Drivers must receive Negative Drug Test Results before operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) requiring a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) §382.301
• Post-Accident: The Department of Transportation (DOT) Requires Post-Accident Drug and Alcohol Testing for DOT Drivers involved in Accidents as per Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Regulations 49 CFR Part 382.303
• Random: CDL Drivers must be Randomly Drug and Alcohol Tested throughout the year as part of DOT Random Regulated Testing to ensure Safety and Compliance with Federal Regulations under FMCSA guidelines §382.305
• Reasonable Suspicion: DOT Requires Drivers who appear to be under the influence of Drugs or Alcohol to be Immediately Tested §382.307  Employers (Including Owner Operators who hire Drivers) must undergo Reasonable Suspicion Drug and Alcohol Supervisor Training to Recognize and Determine the Signs and Symptoms of Drug and Alcohol Abuse §382.603
• Return-to-Duty (RTD): Required when a CDL Driver has Tested Positive or Refused-to-Test.  Drivers must complete the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Process and receive a RTD Drug Test, which is Collected under Direct Observation §40.305
• Follow-Up: Follow-Up Testing is a Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Program for Drivers who have completed the Return-to-Duty Process.  It consists of a Minimum of 6 Directly Observed Drug Tests within the first 12 Months as determined by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and may continue for up to 5 Years §40.307

✅ What is an Owner Operator?

• An Owner-Operator in the Department of Transportation (DOT) owns and operates their own Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) and is Regulated under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).  Under 49 CFR Part 382 and Part 40, Owner Operators are subject to strict DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Regulations.  Here’s what they must comply with:
  • Must pass a DOT Pre-Employment Drug Test before operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) requiring a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
  • Because Owner Operators are both Employers and Employees, they must Enroll in a DOT Random Drug & Alcohol Testing Consortium
  • Must participate in Random Drug & Alcohol Testing as per FMCSA’s Requirements

✅ DOT Resources

• Employer Handbook - Click Here
• Employee Handbook - Click Here
• Employee Handbook (Spanish) - Click Here
• DOT's Drug & Alcohol Program - Click Here
• Drug & Alcohol Testing Brochure - Click Here
• Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance (ODAPC) - Click Here
• Best Practices for DOT Random Drug & Alcohol Testing - Click Here