DOT Drug Testing: What Every CDL Driver Needs to Know

DOT drug testing is a critical part of maintaining compliance for any commercial driver operating under FMCSA regulations. At Midwest DOT, we offer quick, accurate, and fully compliant drug testing services for CDL drivers and employers who need to stay current with federal safety standards.

If you hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and perform safety-sensitive duties, you’re required to complete DOT drug testing at several points throughout your career. These include pre-employment, random testing, post-accident situations, reasonable suspicion cases, and return-to-duty or follow-up testing after a prior violation. Employers are responsible for making sure these tests are completed and reported appropriately.

All DOT drug screens use a 5-panel urine test to detect the following substances:

• Marijuana (THC)

• Cocaine

• Opiates (including heroin, morphine, and codeine)

• Amphetamines and methamphetamines

• Phencyclidine (PCP)
  

Each test follows a strict federal process to ensure accuracy and confidentiality. If a result is non-negative, a Medical Review Officer (MRO) will reach out to the driver for confirmation and to rule out legitimate prescriptions.

If you fail a DOT drug test, you cannot return to any safety-sensitive duties until you’ve been evaluated by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), completed a return-to-duty program, and passed a follow-up test. All results and violations are entered into the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, where future employers are required to check your status before hiring.

At Midwest DOT, we provide:

• Certified DOT urine collectors

• Same-day and walk-in drug testing

• Full compliance with 49 CFR Part 40