Frequently Asked Questions

Please see below for Everything you need to know to keep your Company in Compliance.

• Account Update Instructions - Click Here
• Add a Non-DOT Account - Click Here

Advantages of Ordering Drug & Alcohol Tests Online

1. Faster Results
2. No Spelling Errors
3. Random Results Automatically Matched to the Driver Selected

• Drug Testing Instructions - Click Here
• Alcohol Testing Instructions - Click Here

Please see below for Adding Drivers to the Random Pool Instructions.

Adding Drivers Instructions - Click Here

Drivers are Automatically Added to the Random Pool when Negative Pre-Employment DOT Drug Test Results are Reported by Express Labs MRO.  DOT Requires a New Pre-Employment Drug Test if a Driver is Removed from the Random Testing Pool for 30 Days or More or if there is a Gap in Membership Exceeding 30 Days.

DOT Requirements for Adding a Driver – Pre-Employment Drug Testing & Clearinghouse:

Step 1: FMCSA Clearinghouse Registration & Full Query - Click Here

• Employers must Conduct a Full Query in the FMCSA Clearinghouse to Confirm Drivers have no unresolved Drug or Alcohol Violations
• Drivers must provide Electronic Consent in the FMCSA Clearinghouse to Conduct a Full Query
• DOT Requires Employers & Drivers to be Registered in the FMCSA Clearinghouse to Add Drivers

Step 2: Drug & Alcohol Policy - Click Here

• Employers must provide the Driver with a Drug & Alcohol Policy outlining Testing Requirements and Consequences for Violations
• Drivers must receive a Full Copy of the Signed and Dated Drug & Alcohol Policy

Step 3: Pre-Employment Drug Testing - Click Here

• DOT Requires Negative DOT Pre-Employment Drug Test Results in your Company Name before Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)
• 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.

Step 4: Supervisor Training Course (Online)

• DOT Requires All Supervisors take the Supervisor Training Course for Reasonable Suspicion Testing to Hire Driver (Including Owner Operators who hire Drivers).  The Online Course can be ordered on the Left Side Tabs in your Account.  The Online Course can be ordered on the Left Side Tabs in your Account

Please see below for Deactivate Drivers Instructions.

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.

Please see below for Random Testing Instructions.

Random Testing Instructions - Click Here

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)

Please see below for DOT Drug Testing Instructions.

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.

Ordering Drug Tests Online - Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Login to your Express Labs Account .
2. Go to Order Drug Tests on the Top Left Tabs
3. Select the Reason-for-Testing (Pre-Employment, Random, Post-Accident)
4. Choose a Collection Site (Enter Zip Code)
5. Click Complete Order to Order the Drug Test
6. QPassport: You will receive the QPassport in your Email from Quest within 1 Hour

• Driver Instructions - Drivers must bring the QPassport (printed or on phone) to the Selected Site
• Arrival at Collection Site - Collector Scans the QPassport Barcode upon arrival
• Receive Results - Drug Test Results are Emailed and Posted to your Account by Express Labs MRO

Call the Collection Site to Confirm they are Open

• Call the Collection Site to Confirm they are Open and Performing DOT Drug Testing Collections before Notifying Drivers or Driving to the Site

Please see below for DOT Alcohol Testing Instructions.

Breath 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.

Ordering Alcohol Tests Online - Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Login to your Express Labs Account .
2. Go to Order Alcohol Tests on the Top Left Tabs
3. Select the Reason-for-Testing (Random, Post-Accident)
4. Choose a Collection Site (Enter Zip Code)
5. Click Complete Order to Order the Alcohol Test
6. QPassport: You will receive the QPassport in your Email from Quest within 1 Hour

• Driver Instructions - Drivers must bring the QPassport (printed or on phone) to the Selected Site
• Arrival at Collection Site - Collector Scans the QPassport Barcode upon arrival
• Receive Results - Alcohol Test Results are Emailed and Posted to your Account when Ordering Online

Call the Collection Site to Confirm they are Open

• Call the Collection Site to Confirm they are Open and Performing DOT Breath Alcohol Testing Collections before Notifying Drivers or Driving to the Site

Certificate & Active Drivers List

A current Certificate & Active Driver List is emailed to you on the 1st of every Month to Review your Active Drivers List with Instructions to Add & Deactivate Drivers.

• You can also download a Certificate & Active Drivers List anytime by clicking "Certificates & Driver List" in the Left Side Tabs in your Express Labs Account.

Add Driver Licenses to your Active Driver List

DOT Requires each Driver’s License Number & State to be listed on your Active Driver List and to order Drug & Alcohol Tests Online.  To Add or Edit Driver’s License Information:

1. Log in to your Express Labs Account
2. Click "Manage Drivers" on the top navigation tabs
3. Click "To Edit Driver's License - Click Here"
4. Enter the Driver's License Number and State
5. Click Submit

Add your DOT Authority Number

DOT Requires your DOT Authority Number to be listed on your Certificate.  To Add or Update Your DOT Authority Number:

1. Log in to your Express Labs Account
2. Click "Account Details"
3. Select "Update Account Info"
4. Enter your DOT Number
5. Click Save

DOT Resources

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

What Type of Tests are Required by DOT?

• Pre-Employment: Drivers must receive Negative DOT Drug Test Results (No Alcohol Test is Required) 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.  Follow-Up Drug Test are Collected under Direct Observation.  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 are DOT Compliance Violations?

Pre-Employment Drug Test

• Violation: Allowing a Driver to Operate without Negative DOT Pre-Employment Drug Test Results
• Fine: Up to $5,833 per Violation
• Regulation: 49 CFR §382.301

FMCSA Clearinghouse

• Violation: Failure to Register in the FMCSA Clearinghouse
• Fine: Up to $5,000 per Violation
• Regulation: 49 CFR §390.19

FMCSA Clearinghouse Query

• Violation: Failure to run a Pre-Employment Clearinghouse Full Query
• Fine: Up to $5,000 per Violation
• Regulation: 49 CFR §382.701

Drug & Alcohol Policy

• Violation: Failure to give Driver a Full Copy of the Signed & Dated Drug & Alcohol Policy
• Fine: Up to $5000 per Violation
• Regulation: 49 CFR §382.601

Supervisor Training Course (Including Owner Operators who hire Drivers)

• Violation: Not obtaining Training for Supervisors of CDL Drivers
• Fine: Up to $10,000 per Violation
• Regulation: 49 CFR §382.603

Random Testing Program

• Violation: Allowing a Driver to Operate without being in a Random Testing Program
• Fine: Up to $10,000 per Violation
• Regulation: 49 CFR §382.305 and §382.115

Company & Drivers are not in Random Pool

• Violation: Operating wihout being in a Random Testing Program
• Fine: Up to $12,228 per violation
• Regulation: 49 CFR § 382.305 and § 382.115

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