Federally mandated drug tests are something drivers have to deal with as part of their pre-employment screenings and throughout their careers. Now the DOT is looking to expand the number of drugs they’re checking for in drug tests to include four opioids.
On January 23rd, the DOT published a notice of proposed rulemaking which would amend current DOT drug testing rules in multiple ways. According to the proposed rule, the majority of the changes are “mainly editorial,” including fixing typos, updating web links, and removing provisions that are no longer necessary because of obsolete compliance dates.
But the big change here is that the proposed rule would expand drug testing to include screening for hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone, all Schedule II prescription opioids.
The rule may be in response a rise in prescription opioid abuse. There is no indication that current DOT policy governing prescription drug use would change if the proposed rule goes into effect.
Besides testing for additional drugs, the rule also proposes eliminating the blind specimen testing requirement. Blind specimen testing is “a specimen submitted to a laboratory for quality control testing purposes, with a fictitious identifier, so that the laboratory cannot distinguish it from an employee specimen.”
Removing this requirement would reduce the cost of drug testing, saving companies money.
You can read the entire notice of proposed rulemaking here.
Source: overdrive, truckinginfo, nationallawreview, ainonline, gpo
Raymond Taylor says
What about drug testing everyone with a drivers liscense and not just truck drivers. People in cars are the ones causing most of the accidents. Stop scrutinnizing truck drivers all ready and take a closer look at everyone else on the road.
Driver says
Funny how the organization that will come out with this type mandate, as it should have already, will also mandate no minimum drive time for the new breed driver training, which is idiotic..
Mack says
Are the Federal employees subject to drug screen tests as well? Are the Police? They carry guns and have ultimate authority over life and death.
Frankie says
Actually I do believe cops get tested. Now Feds. Of courses not they’re Feds. LOL
Charles Ball says
We get tested, but all types of government CDL drivers are exempt from the medical card requirement.
mike says
you are partially correct . The post office has their own drivers and they are tested for drugs and hold medical cards and CDL’S . As far as the military goes , they may not be required to have cdl’s or medical cards but the civilian drivers they employ have to have them .
deandre says
Take it off drug panel
Scott Jenkins says
Why is it the panel for a NON-DOT drug screen is covers more that a DOT. You would think it would be the opposite. DOT is definitely behind in the times.
Troy Van Natta says
I hope Trump keeps his word and for every new law takes 2 off the books. Maybe the new transportation secretary who is republican has a brain.
Trucker Bug says
I was under the assumption that they already tested for all opioids as well as drugs.
mike says
If you are taking any of these drugs you should not be driving . If you are in such pain to take these drugs then sitting in a truck for 8-10 or longer hours would be killing you .
Norse Queen says
Silly me!!! I thought that they were already testing for those. I don’t see morphine sulfate listed, so can I presume that they’re already testing for that? Who knew that I could take my prescription opioids and still drive a truck??? And here I’ve been sitting home all these years. Oh, wait…I stopped driving when I was prescribed these medications for chronic pain because it made me unsafe. I remember now. I policed myself. Interesting concept, that.
mike, you are assuming that all people taking these drugs are actually in pain. They are highly addictive so there are probably millions of folks who take them for the high and to feed their addiction.
And before anyone replies that if I’m taking them, I must be addicted, there is a huge difference between physical dependency and addiction. With addiction, one needs to take higher and higher dosages in order to get the same effect; physical dependency simply means that in order for me to have a better quality of life, I am dependent on the meds to help me do my normal activities, like getting dressed.
Raymond, I’m with you on that idea of testing all drivers, not just those with a CDL. But how would that testing be done? It would have to be random in order for the driver not to be able to plan ahead and pass the ua even while using the drugs. It wouldn’t be effective to test only when someone gets a new driver’s license, since one would know ahead of time and be able to prepare to pass it. It’s somewhat more complicated than when one has a CDL and is working for a company who requires random testing. But certainly something to think and talk about.
Craig says
I been driving for ten years and I take prescription pain meds have been for a few years and without them I wouldn’t be able to drive for the length of time I do but I don’t abuse them or take them while on duty!