Before you can get your DOT medical card, you have to pass the DOT physical. This physical examination covers all aspects to ensure every commercial driver on the road is in the right condition to drive. For this reason, some people wonder “does the DOT medical card test for drugs?”
Generally, a drug test is not part of the DOT physical. You will have to submit a urine sample to your physician, but not for drug testing purposes. Instead, this sample will be used to check for irregularities or contaminants that indicate certain health problems.
Below, we’ll discuss more information regarding the drug testing regulations for commercial vehicle drivers. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know!
What Is a DOT Medical Card?
Every person with a CDL needs a DOT medical card.
Also known as a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, this is a piece of documentation that states you meet all the physical, emotional, and mental standards to operate a commercial vehicle. Before you can be approved for the DOT medical card, however, you need to pass the DOT physical.
Drivers with certain health and wellness issues could put themselves and others at risk on the road. To prevent this, the DOT requires all drivers to undergo a physical examination before getting their CDL. This exam can only be performed by a DOT-qualified physician, who assesses whether or not a person is in the right condition to drive a commercial vehicle.
Does the DOT Physical Test for Drugs?
Now that you know what a DOT medical card is, you may be wondering if the physical you need in order to obtain the card requires a drug test.
Currently, a drug screening is not part of the DOT physical. However, most companies will require you to submit to a drug screening before offering employment. While you do still need to submit a urine sample to your physician, it’s not for drug testing purposes.
Instead, the DOT-mandated urine sample tests for any irregularities in your kidneys that could signify certain medical conditions. Some of the contaminants this urinalysis tests for include:
- Blood
- Sugars
- Proteins
While the urinalysis will not test for drugs, you will likely need to schedule a separate drug screening to work as a commercial driver. Your company may request that this be completed at the same time as your DOT physical. In addition to this pre-employment drug screening, you will likely be re-tested randomly during the time you work for the company.
What Does a DOT Drug Screening Test for?
The DOT-approved drug screening tests for all substances known to impair your focus and reaction time.
These include:
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Amphetamines and methamphetamines (including MDMA and MDA)
- Opiates (including heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxymorphone, and hydromorphone)
You will not be able to operate a commercial vehicle if you test positive for any of the above substances, even if you have a prescription for them. This screening is meant to ensure CDL holders are never distracted while on the road.
What Happens if You Fail the DOT Drug Screening?
Now that you know what type of drugs a drug test will be screening for, you might want to know what will happen if any of these shows up in the test results.
If your drug screening comes back positive for any of the substances listed above, your doctor may schedule a follow-up visit with you. At this appointment, they will ask if there is a medical explanation as to why you tested positive.
For example, you may have had a codeine prescription after a surgery that hadn’t worked itself out of your system before your test. If there is no medical explanation, you will be denied a new DOT medical card and may even lose your CDL. Depending on the company you work for, you might also need to meet with a substance abuse professional.
What Does the DOT Physical Involve?
Now that we’ve highlighted one thing the DOT physical does not involve, let’s discuss what it does involve.
The DOT physical is very similar to an annual physical, but the standards are higher and more thorough tests are done:
- Visual examination
- Eye test standards to check your vision
- Make sure you don’t have any hearing loss issues
- Listen to your heart rate and lungs
- Check both your pulse and blood pressure
In addition to this, your physician will review a list of your current medications, as well as your complete medical history. You may be required to get certain vaccines, such as the flu shot, during this exam as well.
Final Thoughts
While a drug screening is not an official part of the DOT physical, you will most likely need to pass a drug test before a company will hire you. In addition, you will be re-tested for drugs on a random basis.
