How Can You Come Back from a Failed DOT Drug Test?

Returning to work after a failed DOT drug test can feel overwhelming. Not only do drug related cases have severe legal consequences, but when you are a DOT-mandated employee you can not return to your safety sensitive position until you complete the return to duty process.

What Types of Employees are At Risk of a Failed DOT Drug Test?

DOT mandated employees or safety-sensitive employees who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) are required to undergo DOT mandated drug tests if:

  • The vehicle’s weight is over 26,001 pounds
  • The commercial vehicle is designed to transport more than 16 occupants
  • The vehicle is used to transport hazardous material

Other employees covered under DOT testing regulation 49 CFR Part 40 or “Part 40 employees” include:

  • Employees “covered under 49 CFR part 219”
  • Employees covered under 14 CFR Part 120 of Federal Aviation Administration regulations
  • Federal transit Administration employees covered under 49 CFR Part 655
  • Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration employees covered under 49 CFR Part 199 and
  • Employees covered under United States Coast Guard 46 CFR Parts 4 and 16.

The Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act, 1991

The Act calls for mandatory drug and alcohol testing for safety-sensitive employees in transportation, aviation, pipelines, railroads, and other categories specified under Part 40. The ODAPC (Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance) publishes and implements testing rules for the collected specimen. Safety-sensitive employees who fail a DOT drug or alcohol test will need to seek the services of a qualified SAP before they can return to their safety-sensitive role.

How SAP Providers can Help Employees who Failed DOT Drug Tests

DOT-mandated employees who fail a drug test will be required to attend either an educational program, counseling, or drug and/or alcohol treatment programs. Follow-up-testing is also required.

Return-to-duty documents and approvals from the SAP to resume working are needed for DOT-mandated employees who wish to return to work. The SAP may be a licensed physician or doctor, psychologist, counselor, social worker, or other professional approved by the DOT.

Find a SAP Provider with SAP Referral Services

SRS works with DOT qualified SAP providers in over 3,000 locations across the United States. We can help you connect with a reliable SAP within typically 72 business hours. All SAP providers in our network are qualified and have up-to-date credentials.

Contact Us

DOT-mandated employees trying to find a SAP provider may contact us by calling 410-668-8110 to enroll. We understand how urgent it is to get back to work so we work hard to connect employees to a qualified SAP in their area quickly.

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SAP Referral Services (SRS) is the leading facilitator for mandated substance abuse evaluations. SRS maintains an extensive network of qualified providers in more than 3,000 locations nationwide for testing violations that originate from any of the DOT’s modes including FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, USCG and PHMSA, or a company’s internal drug and alcohol testing polic