The Dot is very particular about its policies and programs. They have specified everything in their 49CFR part 40, and if you don’t have a copy of that in hand, this article will help you to have some idea regarding FMCSA drug testing (federal motor carrier safety administration).

It is quite complicated as there are various legal issues and compliances involved. So, you must have a dot drug and alcohol testing compliant for FMCSA to know this concept in a much better way.
Here, are some points which will help you to understand 49CFR part 40:
1. People who must come under dot drug and alcohol testing policy.
2. How to produce FMCSA DOT drug and alcohol policy.
3. Educational background of various employees.
4. Drug testing along with alcohol testing can be done before employing an individual.
5. Collecting prior drug test results.
6. Frequent screenings of employees is important.
7. Implementation of supervisor training program.
8. Formalities after any accident.
9. Choose your designated employer representative.

49CFR part 40 is highly deceptive and you can easily get a wrong notion, without proper guidance and advice. A new company which is getting registered with the dot will be audited before completion of 18 months as it requires a safety audit procedure. Drug tests and alcohol tests are integral part in this audit and if you can’t fulfill their requirements, they will cancel your registration.

The qualifications required by the drivers, to come under the drug testing program for DOT:
1. The overall weight of the vehicle is over 26000 lbs along with the towed unit. The gross weight should be more than 10000 lbs.
2. The vehicle is well equipped to transport 16 people or more along with the driver.
3. The vehicle is used to transport hazardous material.
4. The gross weight of the vehicle is more than 26000 lbs.

The drivers who are employed can be full time, part time as well as temporary. The vehicle can be used to transport goods and people interstate as well as intrastate, that wont matter. Make sure, all the testing should be done by your company and not the staffing company because in case of any distortion, your company will be responsible and not the staffing company. The entire liability will fall on your company as the staffing company will bear no risks in enrolling drivers who did not fit the bill.

An idle dot policy should consist of 15-18 pages and the policies can be customized in very few places as per the requirement of specific companies. If you appoint a professional help to write these policies, make sure he is well experienced and has written before. The person should have thorough understanding regarding FMCSA drug testing policies and knows well about 49CFR part 40 so that can reference well the polices.

Few dot employers are federal aviation administration, federal transit administration, federal motor carrier safety administration, federal railroad administration etc. all of these employers also have to adhere to the rules and regulations mentioned in 49 CFR part 40 and dot regulations.


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