Drug Testing in Trucking

What type of drugs are tested for? That's a common question, but I will answer another common one first to get it out of the way. Drug testing in not a requirement prior to getting your CDL. It is a requirement before getting hired.

Types of Drug Testing Done

The types drug and alcohol tests required for commercial drivers are:

  • Pre-employment - prior to hiring (Not alcohol)
  • Reasonable suspicion - Supervisor observes behavior that is representative of being under the influence.
  • Post-accident - Within 3 hours of an accident you must be tested
  • Random - A certain percentage of safety sensitive drivers must be tested at random.
  • Return-to-duty - When a violator who was suspended from duties returns back to safety sensitive duty.
  • Follow-up - More test that are done after the Return to Duty. Six must be done in 12 months unannounced. Can be up to 60 months.

What drugs are tested for?

Trucking companies both large and small are required by the federal government to test for several substances by urine samples.

  • Amphetamines
  • Cocaine
  • Marijuana (THC Metabolite)
  • Opiates (Heroin included)
  • Phencyclidine (PCP)

Source: Alcohol and Drug Rules - FMSCA

If during the screening there is reason to believe one of the drugs is present, it goes through a more intense analysis for confirmation

Alcohol Testing

Alcohol testing can be done with Saliva devices or Breath Testing by employees of the company or contracted services. Alcohol testing is not done generally as part of a roadside inspection.

Under certain conditions a test administered by an officer is accepted but he/she must be trained in using EBT or Evidental Breath Taking devices.

After an accident, you will be required to find a place to get testing done for alcohol.

Drivers who fail the alcohol testing is required to be removed from safety-sensitive duties. They must be seen by specialist in the field and going through recommended rehabilitation or treatment before returning to duty.

More information here at the FMCSA website

Post Tips, Stories or Questions About Drug Testing

Share your tips, stories or ask your questions related to drug testing in trucking ...
(If you write in all caps it will be deleted)

If you have corrections or updated information, or disagree with what is written on the page, feel free to tell us that too.

What would you like to share about drug or alcohol testing in trucking?

Give it a good descriptive, short title. (Not in all caps!)

Other forum posts about drug or alcohol testing in trucking

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Several DUIs and wreckless driving charges 13yrs old 
Hello I've had either 3 DUIs and 2 reckless or 2 DUIs and 3 reckless none where felonies all were over 13 years ago do you think if I get a CDL some body …

Should I confess to smoking prior to drug testing 
I currently work for a large trucking firm that bought out the company I previously drove for. Next month they will do hair drug testing and I smoke recreationally. …

Failed pre screen hair follicle test in texas 
I'm a new cdl a driver and failed my hair follicle test for my new job. Can I still get another truck driving job some where else?

CRST and how long ago I smoked. 
I'm returning to the industry after 10 years off. I need to do an in house CDL program since I'm flat broke. Prime turned me down so I dove to the …

Drugs found in semi 
My nephew was arrested and after searching his truck cops found crack cocaine and methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. What happens now as far as …

Can I get a job if I failed a pre-employment drug test 
Failed a pre-employment drug test is there any companies out there will except me with that being on my dac report. I was told that is some small …

Will someone hire me with 6 yr old drug test failure 
Failed a drug test 6 years ago in the army. Is there any companies out there that will hire me... so far most are saying you cant have ever failed one... …

Can I still be a trucker after testing positive at trucking school? 
I'm serious about starting a career as a trucker. I tested positive for marijuana at a trucking school and was told I couldn't complete my schooling there. …

Drug Screen refusal and Hazmat 
Two years ago during a dark period in my life, I refused a dot drug screening. Will that affect my ability to get a hazmat endorsement?

Is it legal for employer to demand a random while on home time? 
Is it legal for an employer to demand a random drug test while on home time, then fire the truck driver for fefusing?

Mint flavored Listening mouthwash will get you a DUI in Allen County Indiana. 
Was given a DUI AND aND a hit a bridge arrest for not being able to get my sleep,and because someone had planted a liquor bottle in my cab while I was …

Prescribed suboxone - How should I explain it to Dr. 
I have been on suboxone 5 years now and have been doing really good. It saved my life and my marriage. I am a born again Christian and have been looking …

Falsely accused of refusing a random drug test 
My husband has been falsely accused of refusing a random drug test. He was called in for a random and was sent to a facility about an hour away. It was …

Applying to KLLM - need some info first  
Trying to choose the right trucking company is tough enough as it is and now they've added more stress to it with the potential of a hair follicle test. …

what drug test does crst do 
Just wondering about the testing there

want to know if Trans Am does UA or hair folicle test 
I've just got my CDL and was thinking about going to work for TransAm and wanted to knw if they do hair or an UA for preemployment testing?

Medications 
Where can I find a list of medications that I am allowed to take as an OTR driver. Blood pressure meds etc.?

Does roadmaster administer drug test prior to Start of school NIDA 5? 
Does Roadmaster administer the standard NIDA 5 Urine test before entering school?

People change! 
I wish Trucking Companies would post on their websites whether or not they do hair follicle or urinalysis for their pre-employment drug testing. A person …

hazmat license vs previous failed drug screening 
While applying for hazmat licensing I came across with this question, "have you been fired for a failed drug screen?" So my question now is do they …

Failed past drug test for dot in 2009 
If I have failed past drug tests for cdl and non cdl jobs will it show up if I go to one of these schools to get my cdl. I have had my permit in the …

does arnold trucking and knight transportation do hair folicle drug testing? 
I need some help .. I haven't smoked weed in almost a year but I have read that the THC can stay in your hair for years. For religious reasons I can not …

Click here to write your own.

Does roadmaster take hair samples?  
Does roadmaster school take hair samples?

If you fail a drug test when applying for a job will they report you 
if u never work for a company don't have a cdl but fail a drug test for a company can they report you to doc

What method of drug screening does estes express use? 
Does estes express do hair or urine screening

prime trucking drug test analysis urine or hair 
What type of drug test does prme require urine or hair analysis

Failed radom drug test 
I failed a random drug test 2 years ago! Still having a real bad time finding a job! Completed SAP program! I have a perfect CSA score Clean Lic. No accidents …

hair folicle test or urine sample at Falcon Transport 
I am considering a job at Falcon Transport. Do they do urine screens or hair folicle tests?

if I take methadone can I drive a bus in nj with my cdl 
NJ driving a bus while taking methadone

qualification question about past medical marijuana use 
I previously had my medical marijuana card for an injury. My injury is healed and I do not have my red card any more and do not consume marijuana at all. …

are there truck companies out there who will hire someone with a positive drug test 
are there truck companies out there who will hire someone with a positive drug test

Prime Trucking drug testing 
Trying to find out what kind of testing Prime Trucking uses.

I tested positive for marijuana and completed the SAp program. What company will hire me 
I tested positive for marijuana and completed the SAP program. Will a company hire me?

Can a trucking company drug test you for being overweight on scales  
Drug testing because of being overweight on the scales

Does prime do hair testing 
Do prime trucking do hair follicle test

What kind of drug test does U.S Xpress Trucking have? Urine or Hair test? 
What kind of drug test does U.S Xpress Trucking have? Urine or Hair test?

does u. s. express use hair to test for drugs 
does u.s. express use hair sample to do drug screening

what if l failed drug test at a non trucking co. will i get hired 
I failed a random drug test at a non trucking co for THC. I went and got my cdl permit. Will a trucking co hire

do roadmaster do hair drug test 
Drug test for student drivers

Does Millis transfer do hair follicle testing? 
Wondering if they only do urine or hair follicle like a lot of other companies are starting to do.

fail pre-employment test over two years ago..where can i work 
fail pre-employment who can i drive for now

Does coca Cola Bottling consolidated do hair follicle testing? 
Does coca Cola Bottling consolidated do hair follicle testing?

sleeping meds 
Are sleeping meds allowed in trucking? Can I get a while taking sleeping meds

failed drug test 
what company will hire me after failing drug test 2 years ago

Can I drive a truck while on hydrocodone 
I have a bad back and are prescribed hydrocodone pain pills they show up on a drug test. So me question is will dot still let me drive a truck with the …

Click here to write your own.

drug test failure 
How do you get reinstated after driving for 12 years and then failing a drug test?

this is not about failing a drug test 
My question has nothing to do with taking drugs or failing a drug test.I have just been approved to join TMC transportation's orientation in 2 weeks and …

What Kind of Testing is Prime Trucking Doing now UA or Hair? 
Call me a Doper or what ever, I am not thin Skinned and i know thats not the reality for me. Long Story short i was at a Friends house, and Grabbed …

truck driving companies & drug tests 
Hello All comments welcome. I would like to know what trucking companies do urine analysis for drug testing? As I know Prime is 1 co. Thank you …

What trucking company deals with return to duty step 5 in SAP program Not rated yet
what trucking company deal with step 5 in sap program start the return to duty process? EMAIL hyttgreg@yahoo.com

Get off Suboxone  Not rated yet
I have done alot of research on suboxone. I am trying to get off of opiates. I am a CDL driver. It's my way of life. I love it. I'm trying one more time. …

Does anyone know if Carter Express does a hair test Not rated yet
I need some information

Does Carter Express do a hair test Not rated yet
Need some insight on there policy

Company said new rule for 2018 driver can’t be on any opioids  Not rated yet
I have been driving since 2008 and being on opiates since 1997 broke my neck in 4 places and messed up my lower back as well and always pass the drug …

Drug testing at CRST Not rated yet
Does crst us urine or hair follicle testing

positive drug test - is Dr required to report it? Not rated yet
Under supervised doctors pain management and a patient tests positive for a dirty UA does a doctor have to report it to the authorities?

Cdl holder fails non dot/non cdl drug test at a third party doctors office, Not rated yet
I am a cdl holder, I am also enrolled in a suboxone program. I am allowed to take the suboxone and hold a cdl job. I failed a (non dot/non cdl) drug test …

How will false positives affect my CDL? Not rated yet
Werner gave me a hair follicle test and even though I never have used the drugs they have accused me of and terminated me for, how is that going to affect …

Will a non DOT drug test failure keep one from getting hired by a trucking company? Not rated yet
I failed a return to work drug test over a year ago it was non DOT and non driving job. I just got my CDL. Will anyone hire me and who I need work very …

had three beers on the plane ride, the night before pretty employment Not rated yet
I received an amazing opportunity, with a freight company, and the only way I could get down there, was to fly. I'm deathly afraid of flying, so I had …

Will the beta blocker propanolol show up on drug test? Not rated yet
Does anyone know if Propanolol will show up on a urine test?

prime 2015 Not rated yet
they said companies may start doin hair follicles. As of 2015 does prime do urine analysis or hair?

Will fail random drug test show on Class C drivers report Not rated yet
I currently hold a cdl, and failed a random DOT drug n alcohol test. If i drop my commercial license will the failed test show on my class C dmv report …

Fresh start 2015 Not rated yet
I've recently quit smoking weed! I'm tried of not having nuthing and I also need a brand new start at life! Well any way I'm questions are how far back …

what truck companies do hair follicale test Not rated yet
Can someone tell me what companies do hair follicle tests?

Does usa trucking take hair folicle drug test ? Not rated yet
What kind of drug test does USA trucking take?

Does BTC transportation require a hair folicle test? Not rated yet
Does btc transportation require pre employment hair folicle drug test?

drug test answers Not rated yet
This website has information about how long weed stays in your system depending on if you are a heavy to one time user. http://www.homehealthtesting.com/infographic/ho …

info about drugs Not rated yet
By Sandy Long - / N2N / – There has been a debate going on among trucking companies for several years over whether hair follicle drug testing should be …

Does us express hair drug test Not rated yet
Does US Express do hair test?

Click here to write your own.

which trucking companies do hair drug tests Not rated yet
What are the names of trucking companies that test hair for drugs

hair drug testing Not rated yet
what companies do hair testing? is it done by these companies laidlaw challanger grant trucking any other ones? was told the hair test has not been perfected …

Click here to write your own.



New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

Drug Use in Trucking

Top of the Page






Drug and Alcohol Testing

Docs - Forms - Guidelines

Procedures for Testing

Tips For New Drivers

Types of Trucking Jobs

Popular Pages