DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing
Certain transportation professions that are government-mandated operate or work on motor vehicles, aircraft, pipelines and ships must complete government mandated drug and alcohol testing per the Department of Transportation (DOT) and U.S. Coast Guard. These tests are crucial to ensuring the employees and workers operating large machinery and vehicles have a clear mind to perform their jobs safely.
Whether you need to complete DOT drug and alcohol testing yourself or organize testing for your drivers, Test Smartly Labs can help. We are an officially recognized DOT collection site with all the proper materials, equipment, facilities, employee training and supervision required to conduct, store and ship the tests.
Why the Department of Transportation Requires Testing
Working while impaired is dangerous in any profession, especially those requiring heavy machinery and vehicle operation. After multiple fatal accidents due to alcohol and drug abuse, Congress passed the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act in 1991. The act requires DOT Agencies to create and implement drug and alcohol regulations to ensure trucks, trains, aircraft and buses operate safely and responsibly. Specific industries must abide by certain rules based on the vehicles they operate and tasks they perform.
Common careers that require DOT alcohol and drug testing include:
- Truck Drivers
- Pilots & Airport Mechanics
- Ship captains and staff
- Railroad and Train Operators
- Transportation Mechanics
- Bus drivers
- Pipeline Controllers & Staff
- Hazardous Waste Staff
You can check if your company falls under the industries that require DOT testing.
Companies in these industries hiring new employees must ensure that potential workers pass DOT testing. If an individual doesn't pass, the employer can't hire them. Following DOT's strict testing regulations is crucial to ensuring the safety of workers and everyone else in the area. Drug and alcohol testing should occur throughout the year randomly for regular company employees.
To stay in compliance with DOT regulations, companies must also complete random drug testing. For this type of testing, employees are chosen at random to test. Your company could participate in stand-alone or consortium random testing.
Our Drug and Alcohol Testing Services
At Test Smartly Labs, we conduct several types of tests, such as random testing services for DOT. If your company needs to complete drug and alcohol testing that is DOT-compliant, you can count on us. We offer on-site testing to ensure your business can test and receive results as soon as possible. Our professionals have acquired the necessary training to carry out DOT-regulated alcohol and drug tests safely and effectively.
In addition to random testing, we can conduct DOT physicals and DOT post-accident testing. We'll ensure your employees complete the required tests so that your company remains compliant.
Find a Test Smartly Labs Testing Center
Test Smartly Labs can perform your DOT alcohol testing whenever needed, whether during hiring periods or at random. Our testing centers and professionals meet all required DOT specifications to perform the tests. We have multiple locations throughout Missouri and Kansas.
Walk in or schedule an appointment at Belton-Raymore, Independence, Kansas City North, Kansas City or Overland Park. We also partner with organizations throughout the U.S. to offer collection sites so people can complete testing even if they are far from one of our physical locations.
Information On This Topic
Understanding Drug Testing Types, Methods and Specimen Collection
Examining the wide assortment of drug testing options available and exploring the potential pros and cons of each method
There are several reasons or circumstances that can lead to the necessity of a drug test.
Why do businesses need Random Drug Tests
Do you remember the last time you applied for a new job? Or perhaps you are a hiring manager at the business who has accepted many applications and interviewed potential hires. One common part of the hiring process is the pre-employment drug test. No matter what side of the process you are on, this drug test is designed to ensure that the company ends up with the best employees possible who will be able to perform their duties safely and successfully.
Prescription Drug Abuse Signs, Symptoms and Statistics
Prescription drug abuse implies taking prescription medication was not given to you by the doctor, or taking your prescription medication in a manner that differs from the instructions. While taking prescription medication is not perceived as equivalent to taking illegal street drugs, the consequences can be equally harsh
What is 49 CFR Part 40 and how is it different from the USCG and DOT Agency regulations?
49 CFR Part 40, or Part 40, is a DOT-wide regulation that describes the required procedures for conducting workplace drug and alcohol testing for the federally-regulated transportation industry, as well as how to have employees who violated DOT and alcohol regulations get back to their safety-sensitive duties. This regulation applies to all DOT-required tests, regardless of the DOT agency-specific rules that apply to the specific field/employer.
For example, whether if you are a utility employee covered by FRA or a flight instructor covered by FAA, Part 40 procedures for collecting, testing, and reporting specimens apply to you identically. The DOT Agency-specific regulations simply state who is subject to testing and in what circumstances for a particular industry.
As an employer, you are responsible for meeting all applicable requirements and procedures of this part, as you are responsible for all actions of your officials, representatives, and agents in carrying out the requirements of the DOT agency regulations.
Moreover, as an employer, you are responsible for obtaining information required by Part 40 from your agents, regardless if you use a C/TPA as an intermediary. For example, if an applicant for a safety-sensitive job takes a pre-employment drug test, you should not permit the applicant to perform their duties before receiving the results. This is a violation of the Department’s regulations.
There are specific actions you must take as an employer after receiving the drug test results:
- If the verified drug test result is positive, you must instantly remove the employee from performing safety-sensitive functions.
- If you receive a verified adulterated/substituted drug test, you must remove the employee instantly as well – as this is considered a refusal to test.
- If you receive an alcohol test result of 0.04 or higher, you must immediately remove the employee from performing safety-sensitive functions. If the result is between 0.02-0.039, the employee must be removed temporarily.
- If the employee violated a DOT agency drug and alcohol regulation in any way, they must not be returned to the performance of the safety-sensitive tasks until they complete the return-to-duty process of Part 40.
- You may also be required to take additional actions required by DOT agency regulations (FAA rules require some positive drug tests to be reported to the Federal Air Surgeon).
Be prepared for your drug test!
- Bring your Government Issued Picture ID
- Bring Drug Test Paperwork or Authorization
- Complete TSL Intake Form & HIPAA Disclosure
- Pay for your test on site
- Make sure you are hydrated if you are performing a Urine Test
- Expect to have your nail polish removed if getting a Nail Drug Test
- We do not need your prescription information but a Medical Review Officer (MRO) may contact you after collection to verify your medications.
- For urine testing, plan on arriving 3 hours before we close (1 hr minimum) to provide a cushion of time for a shy bladder situation.
- For hair testing, be sure to dry your hair completely before arriving.
- For nail testing, be sure to clean your nails with soap and water before arriving. Also, artificial nails and polish must be removed.
What Are Your Hours?
- All Test Smartly Labs are open Monday through Friday, from 9am - 5pm
Do We Need To Have An Appointment?
- No appointment is required to come into our labs, and all of our locations are on a walk-in basis. However, it is recommended you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to closing. If your situation requires special time considerations, please call us to determine if it would be better to arrange an appointment time.
Do I Need Doctors’ Orders For Testing?
- No doctors’ orders needed, we are a Direct-Access Testing Center. You are encouraged to consult your medical professional with your lab test results.
What’s The Turnaround Time For Lab Work?
- Average turnaround time is 2-5 business days depending on the complexity of the lab work. Most tests are available in 2-3 days.
Do You Need A List Of My Medications For A Drug Test?
- Per protocol, the lab techs are not allowed to receive or ask for your medications. A medical review officer or MRO, a licensed physician who specializes in toxicology, will call you and ask for your medications and your physician’s phone number if it’s detected in your sample during testing. The MRO will then call your physician to verify your medications.
On-site Dot Drug & Alcohol Testing
Whether it’s at the scene of an accident or in your office chair – Test Smartly Labs can provide on-site testing services that are all considered DOT-compliant.
Our trained professionals are well-versed in the many rules and regulations surrounding DOT testing procedures. We offer a variety of options to meet your needs and get your DOT drug and alcohol tests done.
From the logistics and requirements regarding how urine or breath is collected to the actual spaces, surfaces and areas required in several DOT agency manuals, we’ve got you covered. We’re also familiar with the forms you’ll need to ensure the test is valid.
For a DOT testing partner, you can trust Test Smartly labs. To get started, give us a call.
DOT Jobs And Drug Testing
DOT drug testing is a routine part of an employee’s lifecycle, and it begins with pre-employment testing.
Whether someone is applying to drive a bus, fly a plane or operate a rail car – a DOT drug test will need to be passed before a job is ever offered to them. No DOT employer is allowed to offer a job to someone who does not receive a negative test result from a controlled substance panel.
While drug testing is a mandatory test for pre-employment, agencies differ on how to handle alcohol screening for pre-employment. Refer to the specific rules and restrictions for the individual DOT agencies.
Test Smartly Labs is a trusted partner amongst many workng in DOT agencies, and we’re often relied upon to perform the pre-employment DOT drug test. We’re up-to-date on the latest changes and regulations in the industry. You can trust us to run the test you need, following all proper procedures.
Our Popular Products
DOT (Dept of Transportation) Drug Test Panel
Price: $69 / Online Prepay Price: $67 Step 1: Choose a Testing Center location Step 2: Select desired appointment date & time Step 3: Choose "Online Prepay" to receive lowest price OR, select "Pay In-person" option for standard pricing Step 4: Complete the required fields and get tested
DOT US Coast Guard (USCG) Drug Test Panel
Price: $89 / Online Prepay Price: $87 Step 1: Choose a Testing Center location Step 2: Select desired appointment date & time Step 3: Choose "Online Prepay" to receive lowest price OR, select "Pay In-person" option for standard pricing Step 4: Complete the required fields and get tested
DOT (Dept of Transportation) Breath Alcohol Test
Price: $45 / Online Prepay Price: $39 Step 1: Choose a Testing Center location Step 2: Select desired appointment date & time Step 3: Choose "Online Prepay" to receive lowest price OR, select "Pay In-person" option for standard pricing Step 4: Complete the required fields and get tested
Find your nearest location
- Overland Park
Test Smartly Labs ofOverland Park6600 College Blvd, Suite 205
Overland Park, KS 66211,
United StatesOpening Hours :
Mon - Fri : 9am - 5pm | Sat : Closed | Sun : Closed - Kansas City
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