You may be concerned regarding the need for a drug test before your DOT exam. As a general rule, a drug test is not required to obtain your medical card. However, there could be situations where you will need to submit to testing.
Although there are times when DOT testing could require a drug test, for you to get your medical on your own, you will not be required to do so. If you are working for a company and you are going for them to take your physical, they may need one due to company policies during the hiring process.
More times than not, when you are not self-employed, you will be required to take a pre-employment drug test. Did you realize that if you have a CDL, DOT, and work for a company, you could be required to take a federally regulated drug screen and be in a pool of workers to be tested quarterly? Read on to see what situations may require drug testing.
When Does a DOT Physical Require a Drug Screen?
Most jobs that involve physical labor may require you to get a drug screen. But can this be said for a DOT medical card?
As stated above, if you are going through the employment process and have a DOT medical, you may also need a DOT drug screen. You may need to carry the paperwork with you, or the Medical Review Officer may keep it on hand.
You should only need a drug test to obtain your DOT medical card if you work for someone other than yourself. However, you should never be under the influence when operating a big rig as this is a safety risk against others on the road and yourself.
What to Bring to a Drug Screen
When you are going to have a drug screen, there are certain things you should bring with you.
These would include:
- Driver’s license
- ID Me card
- Passport
- A full bladder
Now, let’s take a look at the procedure your DOT medical examiner may follow.
Drug Screen Procedure
As with all things, you and the collector have to follow some procedures.
The collector must:
- Check your driver’s license for proof of ID
- Prepare the form while you are present
- Open the test kit, which will have a specimen cup and two smaller sealed cups to fill
- Have you sign the form that you are submitting to the test
- Provide you with the cup to deposit your sample
- Escort you to the bathroom, where there will be no running water, soap, or trash receptacle
- With the door closed, the collector will remain outside until you are finished
- You may not flush the toilet until the collector has your sample
- You may wash your hands while the collector stays with you
- The collector will distribute the sample into cups A and B with 30 ml in cup A and 15 ml in cup B
- The collector will close A & B with the caps and place the paper straps over the sealed bottles.
- You must date and initial both straps
- Both samples go into the transport bag along with the lab copy of the completed DOT form
- The transport bag is sealed
If you cannot provide the amount necessary to fill both vials with the total 45 ml, you will be required to drink water up to 40 ounces within a three-hour period and then try again. If you cannot produce the required sample, this will be considered a failure to test, and it will be up to your pre-employer and your MRO if you try again at another time.
Do You Have to Pay for a Drug Screen?
Now that you know all the steps that go into a drug screen for your DOT medical card, you may be wondering if you have to pay for the process.
Suppose it is a pre-employment issue you may have to pay for the secondary testing. If this is yearly or quarterly testing, the employer may pay. If your employer has a no-tolerance policy, you can still have the retest done; however, they may take the cost from your final paycheck if it comes back positive.
Conclusion
You do not need to submit to DOT drug testing if you are self-employed. If you are going to go to work for a company, you will likely need to be tested. This testing is done for employee and pedestrian safety. When driving large vehicles, you need to have all of your faculties in control.