I Have a Failed DOT Drug Test, Is This Going to Ruin My DOT Safety Sensitive Career?

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) requires employers of the safety-sensitive transport sector to complete pre-employment DOT drug testing during recruitment. For safety purposes, employers must do random DOT drugs and/or alcohol tests after hiring. Thus, if you are an employee or applicant you can be sure that you will have to undergo DOT drug and/or alcohol testing. What happens if you receive a failed DOT drug test? What are your next steps? Will it ruin your DOT safety-sensitive career?

Will My Failed DOT Drug Test Ruin My Career?

It depends on your employers’ policy and what you decide to do after the test. Some employers have programs through which they allow employees who have failed DOT drug test to return to work. However, other employers maintain a zero-tolerance policy. Whichever is the case, you must successfully complete the return-to-duty process before returning to any safety-sensitive role.

If I Have a Failed DOT Drug Test Where Do I Find Help?

The appropriate person to seek assistance from is a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). SAPs are clinicians whose job is to evaluate employees who have failed a DOT drug or alcohol test. They also recommend the appropriate treatment and/or education that employees who have violated a DOT alcohol or drug program regulation should complete in order to get back to their safety-sensitive tasks. These qualified SAP professionals are neither the employers’ nor the employees’ advocates; their job is to protect the public interest. Therefore, if you have a failed DOT drug or alcohol test, you are responsible to follow your SAP’s recommendations to get back to work as soon as possible.

Will My Future Employer Know About It?

If you are wondering if your failed DOT test results will follow you to other employers, the answer is yes. Previous employers are bound by the law to furnish new employers with certain records of DOT drug testing history. However, that should not worry you if you have successfully completed the return-to-duty program with the assistance of a qualified SAP provider.

Contact SAP Referral Services to Help You Put Your Best Foot Forward After a Failed DOT Drug or Alcohol Test.

You can still get your career in the safety-sensitive transport sector back on track even after a failed DOT drug or alcohol test. To learn more about SAP Referral Services’ FastTrack Enrollment Program, a program aimed at getting employee/applicants scheduled quickly with a qualified SAP in their geographic area, click here.

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.