Drug and Alcohol Program

Your legal obligation: drug and alcohol testing

If you operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce, you are required by federal law to implement a drug and alcohol testing program. This is not optional — it’s a condition of your operating authority.

The program covers two stages: pre-employment testing (before a driver’s first day) and random testing (ongoing, year-round). You must test for specific controlled substances and alcohol at the levels FMCSA defines. If a driver tests positive or refuses to test, you must remove them from safety-sensitive duties immediately and may be required to provide them with information about rehabilitation programs.

The rules are strict and the paperwork is exact. Many carriers underestimate the complexity here and end up with violations because they didn’t follow the test protocols, didn’t maintain records correctly, or didn’t handle a positive result properly.

For the complete breakdown of who you must test, when, which substances you’re testing for, what to do with results, and how to document everything, read the full Drug and Alcohol Program guide.