I Failed DOT Drug Testing, Now What?

The DOT requires safety sensitive mandated employees to complete regular drug and/or alcohol tests. These tests include pre-employment, post-accident, random, reasonable suspicion and return-to-duty. If any of these tests come back positive, a DOT-mandated employee will need to complete education or treatment, as recommended by a qualified SAP. DOT mandated employers regularly perform drug and alcohol testing on their employees. It is necessary to maintain a safe and secure work environment. After failed DOT drug testing you will be restricted from your ability to perform safety-sensitive duties until you complete, and comply with your SAP’s recommended treatment, attend a follow up SAP evaluation and produce a negative return-to-duty test. Return to your safety-sensitive duties by enlisting the help of SAP Referral Services (SRS).

If You Failed DOT Drug Testing, Complete These Steps with a SAP

To be compliant with the DOT and return to work, employees who failed DOT drug testing must complete the following steps to get back to their safety-sensitive work.

Step one is an initial evaluation with a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). A SAP will evaluate your situation and recommend the appropriate treatment and/or education. Complying with the recommended treatment and/or education is necessary to get back to your safety-sensitive tasks. Your SAP will review your progress and make sure that you have complied with their recommended treatment and/or education.

Your SAP will recommend treatment facilities. These facilities are established and structured with proven methods that will provide you with the appropriate treatment or education option to get you back to work fast.

SAPs receive specialized training on a continuous basis. When you partner with SRS you can be assured that your SAP is a trained, DOT qualified professional.

After completing your recommended treatment or education, your SAP will review your progress and write a report based on their findings. They are the only person who can report on your progress and readiness to return to safety-sensitive work. The report will be sent to your employer explaining if you are ready to return to safety-sensitive work.

All DOT mandated employees must complete a return-to-duty test that will confirm that your education or treatment was effective and you are alcohol or drug free. Follow-up testing will be done randomly to ensure that you are maintaining a drug free lifestyle. After receiving a negative return-to-duty test result, your employer may return you to your safety-sensitive duties. SAPs might also recommend additional aftercare programs to monitor your progress after returning to work.

Don’t Let a Failed DOT Drug Testing Ruin Your Life

When you work in a DOT safety-sensitive position the DOT requires that you adhere to a drug or alcohol free environment. You will be tested for drugs and alcohol randomly. If you failed DOT drug testing, you will need to see a SAP and complete recommended treatment or education in order to go back to safety-sensitive work. With SRS you can turn your life around and get back to work sooner. Failed DOT drug testing doesn’t have to ruin your life. Finding a qualified SAP in your area after failed DOT drug testing is easy when you partner with SRS. SRS has an extensive network of qualified SAPs. You can enroll in our FastTrack Enrollment program today to get partnered with a qualified SAP provider in your geographic region and get back to work faster. Contact SRS to get back to work after failed DOT drug testing.


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 policy.

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