Tag Archives: Failed a DOT Drug Test

Does a DOT Physical Include a Drug Test ?

Does a DOT Physical Include a Drug Test ?

Urine Sample

Does a DOT physical include a drug test” is a recurring question asked by CMV drivers. Most CMV drivers are required to take a DOT physical exam every 2 years to maintain their DOT medical certificate and CDL. For many, the DOT physical is extremely stressful, since it can determine the fate of their careers.

Being prepared and knowing what to expect from your DOT physical can make all the difference.

For Drivers Wondering if a DOT Physical Includes a Drug Test, SameDayDOT Physicals Drug & Alcohol Testing Offers Answers

What will my DOT physical evaluate?

The objective of a DOT physical is to evaluate whether or not a driver is healthy enough to operate a commercial motor vehicle. A driver with health issues like sleep apnea, diabetes, poor vision and high blood pressure could be hazardous if their medical conditions become unmanageable while driving. The job of a DOT physical is to keep unsafe CMV drivers off the road, making a safer road for everyone.

Does the DOT physical exam include a drug test?

The DOT physical exam requirements do not include a drug test. You will still have to give a urine sample which is used for a kidney screen for potential medical conditions.

However, companies require a pre-employment drug test.

So your company may request to have a drug screen done at the same time as you take your DOT physical.

Not all medical examiner’s offices that conduct DOT physicals have a drug testing service.

SameDayDOT Physicals Drug & Alcohol Testing are qualified to perform CDL/DOT physicals in Tennessee, as well as BAT (Breath Alcohol Testing) and Drug Testing through a split urine collection (in compliance with the DOT employment drug test requirements).

What drugs will I be tested for?

The medical examiner will take urine samples that test for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine and amphetamines/methamphetamines.

What if I fail the drug test?

Failing any portion of the DOT physical exam could cause your DOT medical certificate to be denied. On top of that, if a driver tests positive for drugs, he/she could lose his CDL and be required to meet with a substance abuse professional.

What if I refuse to take the drug test?

According to the FMCSA website, refusing to take a drug test is generally treated the same as testing positive and could follow the same consequences.

SameDayDOT Physicals Drug & Alcohol Testing offers the best healthcare for the best price and works with your schedule. SameDayDOT Physicals Drug & Alcohol Testing knows that health needs are not always planned, which is why we welcome Walk In’s, Monday thru Friday. No appointment needed.

The content presented on this page is not intended to diagnose health problems or take the place of professional medical care.

Contact us with any questions you may have.

Contact Us

We’d love to hear from you. Please use one of the various methods below and we’ll look forward to connecting with you soon!

Phone Number:
615-452-1575

Email Address:
[email protected]

Our Location:
529 Hartsville Pike
Gallatin, TN 37066

Right next to Sumner Regional Medical Center across from Perkins Drugstore. Parking for your big rig next door in the Food Lion parking lot.

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Your Best Driver Failed a DOT Drug Test, Now What?

failed drug
What CDL Drivers & Employers Need to Know

For many employers it can be a stressful and confusing time when an employee tests positive on a DOT mandated drug or alcohol test.

Does the employer now have to “DO” anything?

Must the employee be fired? How long will the driver be out?

Can the driver be re-hired?

The key is to precisely follow the DOT regulations in order to handle the situation correctly and maintain regulatory compliance.

Once an employer has received a verified positive drug test result, the employer must immediately remove the employee from DOT covered safety sensitive functions. The employer should not wait for a written report from the Medical Review Officer or the results of a split specimen test (if one has been requested by the employee).

A verified positive DOT drug or alcohol test is a direct violation of the federal drug and alcohol testing regulations.

Employers who are required to comply with DOT regulations must provide an individual who has tested positive for drugs or alcohol on a pre-employment (including an applicant or new employee), random, reasonable suspicion or post-accident test with information about qualified Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs). Employers are not required to pay for the employees evaluation or treatment; however they must provide a list of locally available DOT SAPs. Employers may provide the list of SAPs through a Third Party Administrator (TPA).

In order to be eligible to perform safety sensitive duties, the employee in violation must successfully complete the DOT Return to Duty Process. This process involves being evaluated by a DOT qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), completing treatment and/or education as recommended by the SAP, and a follow-up evaluation by the SAP. The time it takes to complete the DOT SAP process varies and depends upon the level of treatment and education recommended for the employee, as well as the employee’s dedication to the process. The SAP is not an advocate for the employee or the employer. Rather the SAPs function is to protect the public’s interest in safety.

It is important to note that only a DOT qualified SAP may provide the required evaluation, recommendations and determination of successful compliance required to become eligible for consideration for a return to safety sensitive duty by an employer. In order to be qualified to act as a DOT SAP, the SAP is required by federal regulations to have specialized training, maintain specific professional credentials and undergo continuing education. They are also required to adhere to specific rules and regulations regarding facilities in which they recommend for treatment and education.

Once the employer has been notified by the DOT SAP in writing that an employee has successfully completed the recommendations, the employer may choose to return the employee to safety sensitive duty pending a negative return to duty test. The employer must also ensure that the employee is in follow-up testing as recommended by the SAP.

What if I fail or refuse a test?

You fail a drug or alcohol test by testing positive to a drug test, or registering a 0.04 or greater alcohol content. Either of these results requires you to be immediately removed from performing safety-sensitive functions (i.e., driving CMVs) until successful completion of the return-to-duty process with a DOT-qualified substance abuse professional.

Your refusal to submit to a drug or alcohol test is generally equivalent to testing positive to a drug or alcohol test. You must immediately be removed from performing safety-sensitive functions (i.e., driving CMVs) until successful completion of the return-to-duty process with a DOT-qualified substance abuse professional. The DOT regulations outline refusals to test for drugs and alcohol. Some refusals are determined by medical review officers (49 CFR Part 40 Subpart G) and alcohol technicians (49 CFR Part 40 Subpart N). For others, the determination is the employer’s responsibility. Refusals to submit to a drug or alcohol test are defined in §382.107. The employee handbook available on the ODAPC Web site provides examples of conduct that the regulations define as refusing a test (49 CFR Part 40 Subpart I and Subpart N) and what happens if you test positive, refuse a test, or violate FMCSA regulations. It is, therefore, critical to understand the specific circumstances that define a refusal, which can be found in §40.191, §40.261 and §382.107.

DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Services, Evaluations and Drug Free Workplace Solutions Need a Drug and/or Alcohol Test? Call Same Day DOT Physicals Drug & Alcohol Testing.

Contact Us

We’d love to hear from you. Please use one of the various methods below and we’ll look forward to connecting with you soon!

Phone Number:
615-452-1575

Email Address:
[email protected]

Our Location:
529 Hartsville Pike
Gallatin, TN 37066

Right next to Sumner Regional Medical Center across from Perkins Drugstore. Parking for your big rig next door in the Food Lion parking lot.map for DOT

About Us

Dr. Michael J. Tigges

Certified DOT Medical Examiner
Chiropractic Physician

Dr. Michael TiggesDr. Tigges is one of the first in TN to become a certified DOT Medical Examiner of the United States Federal Government. The National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners requires all medical examiners performing physical examinations for interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers to be trained and certified in FMCSA physical qualification standards.
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