In a notice published on July 6th, the FMCSA announced that the agency would “provide reasonable enforcement flexibility” on drug and alcohol testing requirements. However, they do note that “this Notice is not intended, and should not be perceived, as suspending the current random testing requirements.”
“As the Nation engages in a phased re-opening, the pace of return to normal operations will vary across the country,” reads the announcement. “In some regions of the United States, motor carrier employers subject to controlled substance (drug) and alcohol testing under 49 CFR part 382 may be unable to comply with certain testing requirements due to the ongoing impacts of the emergency.”
Carriers are still required to have a 50% drug testing rate and 10% random alcohol testing rate of their drivers in 2020. But the “flexibility” means that FMCSA will allow for carriers to fall under that number if they can document “the specific reasons” why they weren’t able to meet the requirement.
Even employers who are “unable to fully comply with the requirements identified” could skip the consequences. Though it is unclear how FMCSA is defining “reasonable enforcement flexibility.”
Source: FMCSA, truckinginfo, overdrive, freightwaves
There is zero reason why they shouldn’t be testing and zero reason why they shouldn’t have been testing all along
… get the druggies off the road!! I should know, I used to be one !!
Non-essential medical services are suspended in some places. Drug testing may not be considered an essential medical service. Some testing materials may also be needed for COVID-19 testing.
It’s triage. Nobody is saying that we want druggies driving trucks. But the scope of the harm caused by supporting drug testing over the pandemic, is likely to be greater than the alternative.
Not to worry, though. Without clear guidance, you can count on the government to get around to punishing people for using their best judgement to try to do the right thing.
And now you live in a TIN BOX IN PARKING LOTS & NO IDLING
Sorry to disagree with a very valid point but, we are otr drivers, send them somewhere they can get tested. There is no reason that a driver should have any excuse to get around drug testing. All thats doing is telling them that they can easily get away with it right now and clean up in a few months
Not all drivers are OTR.
Maybe the idiots who sit in an office all day who’ve never accomplished anything in life as they dream up more ways to interfere with the DOT should know It’s already called PRE-EMPLOYMENT – POST ACCIDENT & RANDOM.