A packet of legislation has passed the Senate that doesn’t seem like it would have much to do with trucking, but may actually dramatically change the way that drug screenings are done for every Class A CDL driver in the country.
The group of more than 70 different bills is named the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 (OCRA). It’s a bipartisan push to combat the opioid epidemic here in the US. The bills mostly concern regulations like directing the FDA to incentivize the development of non-addictive painkillers, and require opioids to be prescribed in smaller quantities. Another provision is aimed at cracking down on shipments of fentanyl coming in to the United States.
But included in the legislation is a provision which would direct the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to push along allowing hair testing to be used in place of urine testing for DOT mandated drug screenings of Class A CDL holders.
This is a goal that the American Trucking Association (ATA) has been aiming to achieve for a long time now. According to the ATA, hair testing is more accurate, more reliable, and shows drug use over a greater period of time than urine testing. But critics say that hair testing is prone to false positives, is more expensive, and can be used as a discriminatory practice. Additionally, many members of the ATA are already using hair testing in addition to urine testing, but don’t want to have to pay for both.
OCRA is similar to a package that was passed in the House as well, but the two will have to be reconciled before the legislation can be finalized and sent on to the White House.
Source: gobytrucknews, truckinginfo, ttnews, nbcnews, cbsnews, truckersreport
Katie says
If you’re living on welfare it’s against the Constitution for them to drug test you but if you’re a truck driver I guess the Constitution does not apply
Stacie says
If a person on welfare was pushing 80,000lbs at 70 mph, I’d be down with them being tested too.
Common sense much?
Standard Man says
That’s a ridiculous comment. YOU may think asserting the “safety” mantra is reason to give up your constitutional rights but many of us realize life is dangerous…and NOBODY gets out alive, so with that in mind I will take my freedom while I am here and you can take your feel-good reasons to shove your fear-based up your totalitarian mindset.
Captain Howdy says
If your a doper just say your a dolper.
If your scared,say your scared.
Al says
I’m not a dopler
Tonya L Gibson says
Right on brother!!!
Dan says
I believe everyone that drives a car should be tested then with hair samples…..especially Congress.
Dan says
You do understand they have a 10% false positive rating right? So 10 out of 100 drivers will be put out of work and put and put on welfare. Sorry goes too far into tests aren’t accurate.
That 10% false positive rating my sources Schneider CEO Schneider was one of the first companies to introduce hair samples testing.
Brian says
Well said.
T.L.Keller says
you go dude!
John Fallis says
Right. And I think all government employees should be subjected to drug testing as well, especially law enforcement and court employees.
Mathew says
Agreement 100%
Curtis Settles says
Agreeded, let them all be tested, we all know a lot of the are using.
Jerald Hite says
I’ll agree when all of the federal and state government officials get theirs done also. Especially when we are talking about people that can enact the draft. Create nuclear codes and weapons. And your local government can take away your ability to earn a living.
Jerald Hite says
Let’s also add normal every day drivers. That help create traffic accidents and fatalities every day. You don’t need a cdl to create a accident.
Dave says
Just repeal the legalization of pot in states that have legalized it. Also make drug testing mandatory for every driver on the road. Whether they have a C D L or not. Four wheelers who do drugs whether it be pot or whatever are a real danger. Not only do I have a C D L I have a Motorcycle endorsement and have dealt with a couple of 4 wheelers while riding who may have been under the influence of drugs.
Thomas Schlappal says
I was crippled for life and my best friend was killed by a four wheel driver that was loaded on drugs, make everyone with a drivers license subject to the drug tests
Scott Hall says
You are so right I agree with you 100%
Fred Douglas says
Katie; where did you get that legal knowledge? It sounds bogus to me.
Benny W. says
You really think so there dude you don’t know what you’re talkin about
Mack says
This scrutiny of truck drivers as I understand it, is because we drive, basically loaded weapons. It’s all about public safety of course. That is why the State Troopers, the Sherrif and the local cops will also have to provide hair and urine samples. After all they carry real weapons. Oh, wait, that was just a dream…
John Fallis says
Yes, they NEED to be tested, before anyone else. Should have been a long long time ago…
Fred Douglas says
Both truckers and welfare recipients should be tested. Truckers because drugs are a hazard to the highway, welfare recipients for drug use while receiving public assistant.
Scott Hall says
Know the feds in the state police and local police the government. Can do what they want. They forget they work for us we don’t work for them
duh says
You don’t think cops are drug tested? Did a Super-Trucker tell you that?
Joe says
In far too many jurisdictions they ARE NOT tested. I have LEOs in my family, I know this first hand.
Captain Howdy says
Every Cop that is involved in a questionable assault or shooting should be tested for steroids.
Badges and guns and a uniform often draws the wrong kind of people.
Power attracts the corruptible.
Steve says
It’s because Regulation of Commercial Transportation is Federal and they don’t have jurisdiction over normal drivers licensing, which is is a State issue, not because we are driving loaded weapons.
Dj says
Ive been driving trucks for 28 years otr and local never ever had an accident and I’m about sick of D.O.T and the FMCSA butting their noses in places it doesn’t belong..i get it, its a “saftey sensitive job” but guess what, so is a police officer and fireman. They don’t get tested. Where i live the police officers union faught that and said it was an invasion of their privacy AND won. I don’t do illegal drugs or take pills but I do live in a state where pot is legal. If a person wants to partake in a little bit of weed on their time off that’s their right..i can smoke a joint at night and not be at all impacted the next morning. Although, the government (old brainwashed reefer madness believing idiots and others that never tried it) will allow me to drink all night and go to sleep and wake up with a killer headache and holding in my vomit all day and that is allright. I guarantee thats way more of a risk than taking a couple hits or eating a pot infused cookie or candy bar on time off.. if they wanna give a saliva test to see if your actually high ok but friking hair testing now.. A.T.A, D.O.T AND FMCA can eff off and kiss my ass!!!!!
Scott Hall says
You are so right I agree with you 100%
Gregg says
Agree with you 100%. Especially your last statement.
John D says
Amen! I don’t regularly smoke but on occasion ya damn right I will. What I do in my free time outside that truck is my own damn business. The day hair testing is passed will be my exit sign for trucking. FMCSA needs dismantling, there’s a bill I can get behind.
Par says
You better hope you dont have an accident a week or 2 after your weekend smoking, that will end your trucking career. Weed stays in the body longer than any drug ,a minimum of 30 days or longer.
Sergeant Saunders says
If you do not use drugs, what’s the big deal?
Greg says
You ever get tired of the over regulation of the driver? Why are we classified as unskilled labor, but scrutinized more/same as a pilot?
Fred Douglas says
You must be on some strong stuff SUPERMAN!
Dj says
@fred douglas:: are you always ignorant, uneducated and misguided on all topics? Or just this one?
Dennis says
Agreed 100 %
Jeremy says
Actually,alcohol stays in the blood stream for up to 12 hrs. after last consumption.If one feels the way you describe,herein,the next day after boozin’ it up all night,they will fail a road side breathalyzer test.
Dj says
@jeremy.. that maybe true but how many roadside breathalyzer have you had.? In 28 years I’ve had 0. But, I’ve taken OVER 15 drug tests..
Ed says
Agreed
Roger Williamson says
It’s about time. Hair testing is necessary to combat the joke known as urine testing. Urine testing is a joke.
Trish says
I think this is BS. We found out the hard way that you can even be pulled in on your time off to be tested. The feds are going to control every aspect of your life. Don’t go out dancing and have more than 2 beers throughout the night. Being off work shouldn’t mean you are under scrutiny. I agree with what another driver said somewhere before, you should be considered a federal employee and receive federal benefits including the same free healthcare that other federal government employees get and all of those paid holidays
Trish says
I was at crg where they do medical cards and I found out that they are doing nail clippings now because they go further back. It’s ridiculous imo because of what you may have done before getting hired on starting your career
Cabover Pete says
I want to see all the people involved with this tested randomly also, including the Congressmen and Senators and all dot personal.
They should all be clear minded passing these laws, if it’s good for us, it should be good for them too.
I have a feeling they couldn’t but have no problem forcing it on us, guilty till your proven innocent
Greg W says
Already a major shortage of drivers in this country, so let’s just thin the herd even more. Now the drivers that can pass the hair test can demand even higher wages, better benefits and the respect we deserve as an important part of the economy. Oh wait, I to am only dreaming.
Brian says
I see no real problem with it, if it’s done fairly and preserves dignity . Let the dopeheads beware. I’d like to see every one of them run out of this business.
John Fallis says
Cops first.
Benny W. says
You probably wouldn’t have a job LOL
DJ says
Problem is that hair testing is unreliable enough that you yourself could be termed a Doper and out of this industry even though you haven’t done any drugs.
R.J. says
I was refused a job because my hair is not long enough to be tested.
I’ve had a crew cut since H.S. and am now 60 y/o. I have NEVER done drugs
and growing / maintaining long enough hair is an unnecessary burden.
Tony Muhammad says
Take the time to file a labor federal and state employment discrimination complaint against the company that refused to hire you based on the circumstance you described.
Most trucking companies follow the trucking industry standards regarding hair specimen drug testing. In most case scenarios, a company will hire but demand employee allow hair to grow to a prescribed length to retest within 45 days of employment.
Peter Ross says
The hair can come from Any area on your body, so unless you’re shaving your arm pits or pubs the person doing the hair collection did not know their job.
Rik says
They can sample hair from anywhere armpits pubic arm legs and they take small tuffs.
DJ says
Tony there are no industry-standard set out yet other than what the ATA has told it’s minion companies to abide by.
Someday I hope everyone realizes just who the ATA is.
dkb says
any hair on your body can be used.
RenoBlues says
My hair is a crew cut. They took it for my test. Maybe mines a bit longer? Can’t they take pubes?
Glenn says
I shave my head. But my employer does hair testing so the med center shaved 3 inches of hair length from my chest to get the minimum requirement necessary. They’ll do arm pit hair, even pubic hair. So the employer who didn’t hire you because you wear a crew cut & your hair is too short is out to lunch, so it’s probably a good thing you didn’t go work for them anyways.
PLASE MOORE says
O.K. THAT’S FINE TO HAIR SAMPLE TRUCKERS, BUT BEFORE THAT BILL LEAVES THE FLOOR OF CONGRESS, LETS GET HAIR SAMPLES FROM THE HOUSE, THE SENATE THE WHITE HOUSE, THE FAMILIES OF CONGRESS, JUST TO SHOW TRUCKERS NO HARM DONE. OH BY THE WAY, JUST TEAR UP THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
THEN ASK THEM (CONGRESS) WHERE DO THEY DRAW THE LINE.
Benny W. says
That’s really funny because they can take any hair off of any part of your body to test it for drugs
Benny W. says
I would have to see it with my own two eyes not just believe them
Lick my ass says
The hair test should only be used for new drivers,not one,s that have had a cdl for years;; if a driver has 6 months of driving the hair test is a violation of our right to privacy, whey not make it mandatory for all drivers TO be tested that way ?? 4wheelers are more likely to to fail that test then truck drivers, just like random testing it should apply to all drivers not just truckers, a 4wheeler is a deadly weapon too, they go faster than TRUCKS and move quickly they can do as much havoc as a truck!!!!!!!!!!!!
Benny W. says
Now y’all getting too damn serious
Scott K says
Is there an about time that our Representatives also have to drug test? I wonder how many of them would pass, after all they’re making laws that affect people’s lives as well
Rik says
Good i hope thia passes and I hope they make legislation to make medical certifications more strict where you have to be very healthy to get one. They should make it so that you have very good blood pressure vision , hearing and reflexes and agility to be able to drive cmv. It wont cure all but it will lessen the chances.
J says
Umm agility testing? Reflexes? Dude you think that the majority of drivers are ninjas now? Maybe forget drug testing all together and focus on what causes most accidents, distracted driving and fatigue driving go look up real information before you start talking nonsense about “only really healthy people” getting med cards. put down the phones, stop eating 4 course meals and mandate these shippers have realistic schedules for loading and unloading along with a place for drivers to get a 10 hour break. Drivers as a whole are treated like the bastard step children of the country, hidden from sight kept out of the general population and regulates to the point of insanity, so much so that we have no personal lives outside of our Trucks, even having a cdl lowers your legal blood alcohol level to .04. Now I’m not saying go drink and drive on your time off I’m simply saying that because I have a cdl I am held to different standards then the general population and those standards extend well beyond my truck
Mike says
So what about people who are bald and not by choice. They cant have a CDL because they are unable to grow hair anymore? It seems to me lately the ATA, which I thought was supposed to fight FOR truckers has been taking stances on issues that hurt truckers.
Valri Purdy says
In the nearly 30 years I’ve been out here the ATA has not fought for drivers. Companies yes. Not for drivers.
Now, OOIDA? They fight for drivers. Not just owner operators either.
Joe says
The ATA is comprised of all tye Mega Bottom Feeders. They represent themselves, not the average trucker.
DJ says
Mike I don’t know where you ever heard of the ATA is for truckers, but that has never been the case. If you go back and listen to It’s testimony in front of congress you will find that the ATA feels drivers are just a necessary evil for these companies to make money. The former president of the ATA even testified before Congress that owner-operators need to realize they are a dying dinosaur and need to go away.
But don’t just take my word for it Go research the ATA and see their real stances on issues. You will quickly see they are not for the driver at all.
Tom says
That’s right
Sad
Jon K says
Hair testing is rarely done using hair from your head. There are plenty of other places on the body from which to collect the necessary samples for testing.
Jeff Pearson says
And just who’s in who’s pockets at the capital? Just how much more is this hair testing? And what if somebody shaves there body for hygiene ? Will that keep them from being a truck driver? WHY don’t we demand that allnpoliticians HAVE TO BE DRUG TESTED before they can make laws that says we have to be drug tested.. And let’s see who washes out first..
mike stanturf says
i personally think its all bullpucky. im 65 now and started driving when i was 21. and like alot of us back then i used speed. just like in the military. the military gave them out like candy in vietnam. no one wanted to get shot or blown up cause some idiot fell asleep in his foxhole. or out on a night ambush just imagine what would happen if half the platoon started snoring. now back to the reason i took drugs when i first started. the dispatchers never gave u enough time to legally deliver a load u were always a day late and a dollar short. of course the ones that are complaining the loudest are company drivers. Owner opperators that had to pull cheap freight if u were lucky enough to get 80% with your own trailer, ( flatbed, box, reefer, dropdeck, bullwagon ) it really made no diff. your advance checks, sometimes you couldnt find a truckstop to cash them cause to many had already bounced. i started cashing mine at their local banks if they didnt clear i didnt pick up their load. but all in all i made my payments finally figured the good companys from the bad and after a few years gave up the freight business for heavy haul. by then i didnt need drugs to make a living i found the right place and the right stuff to haul but like i said there are still dispatchers out there that loves to screw with a drivers time. think about that before you blame all the drivers out there, and i still believe that what you do on your own time should not in any way affect your driving ability. now dont get me wrong trucking dont need meth heads and heroin or cocaine or other really bad drugs out there. someone mentioned opiates man if u need opiates to get through the day u should be on disability not driving a truck of course that takes in even more people high blood pressure diabetes bad heart epilepsy. these are just a few things that you shouldnt be allowed to have and drive a truck. that will piss off a few people, but i dont care, you are just as dangerous to everyone around you as the so called dopers. nuff said
Tom says
You seem as if you have seen a lot in your life.
Are you actually saying if a guy that’s been trucking say 15 years has a back injury, and is off work for 6 months maybe 2 years that driver is prescribed a pain med like oxycodone with Tylenol or Percocet and it helps the guys pain, he has blown a disc and when he stands to pee, he has a solid red hot pain down his left leg, and when he sits for 10 minutes he has a burning pain in his low back, but so far, he does have good motor function and he really wants to go back to driving his truck, but, I think your saying that if he needs to take any pain meds he should be on disability, cause, you’ve never had to deal with any state workers Comp laws, they cut the money off after you reach MMI, right..
So, I’d vote for you to congress so I could stay ho,e on disability but, in reality, I’ve gotta work, and there’s no other job I’m qualified to do going to pay me like trucking, but, my govt is trying to keep me out of working, although I’m well adjusted to the pain meds, I function quite well, I don’t slur my speech, I drive my car, I talk to people daily, my back just didn’t heal “properly” or something.. idk.
Do you see how this happens, injury or some guys are born with medical conditions that are very painful, and they can’t lay back on disability ya know..
If anyone wants to add comments please do..this is a problem that’s happening daily in America, god bless you made it thru nam, many folks didn’t but today were working with people that don’t qualify for permanent disability and have to take meds whatare we suppose to do.
Don Poynor says
I don’t have a problem with the hair follicle test. But if you are going to go to that extreme than everyone in a job industry need to have the same test! To include the people making the laws! Hell I am willing to bet half of them can’t pass a BAC test or a urine test! What’s good good for us is good for all!
Tom says
Really
Cmon now
We drivers have been treated like 4th class citizens since time began
Until these laws are re thought then it’s going to get real expensive for you tax payers.
Trump has money.
Think driver
Buddy says
Good. Let’s drug test all Politicians at the same time ! Fair is fair .
David Collins says
It will never stop, why not testing for government employees, lawmakers.
Lakhbinder Singh says
Sikh religion never ever cut there hair!
Sara says
Blood skin hair urine saliva nails what else?
Scott Hall says
I think hair testing is just another way to mess with truck drivers.
Why dont they worry more about all the people driving around smoking dope in there cars every day.
Are they going to start doing hair test for cops and all other jobs. I think the federal government discriminates on truck drivers enough
Scott Hall says
I think hair testing is just another way to mess with truck drivers.
Why dont they worry more about all the people driving around smoking dope in there cars every day.
Are they going to start doing hair test for cops and all other jobs. I think the federal government discriminates on truck drivers enough
Just another way the government can get your DNA
DoubleL says
I Like the ideas of law enforcement who carry guns or anyone with a drivers license also be tested. I personally don’t care, I don’t use drugs. This is the world we live in. Change is hard-
Erik Gaul says
I have no problem with it, don’t use and don’t want someone sharing the road with my family and friends that do. My question is do pilots go through the same testing as truck drivers do? I know they have tough physicals to take but what about drug testing? They will kill a lot more people in one accident then a truck driver all day long. And will City, state and federal CDL drivers be held to the same standard? Doubtful, because they are exempt right? SMH
Tom says
Pilots go thru very strong rules and testing.
Do you really think any experienced trucker would drive while under the influence without knowing how a medicine will react in them, as if..
Cmon driver
Think, long before you were driving, people have been taking prescription pain meds. Are you really buying that crap… this country was built on the backs of alcoholics and drug users. Are you that naive to believe the guy next to you, the guy that has to back your truck for you, cause you don’t know how to back into a tight spot isn’t on something…cmon
ron says
the only federal employees that do not have to be tested are members of congress
Fred Douglas says
Reading these comments you can easily spot the pot heads and coke chokers.
Tom says
Read your info a bit closer
Benny W. says
It’s all us truck driver’s fault!
Robert says
Hair testing is not more accurate. It’s been proven unreliable..
sam says
Ata has been after us for a long time.if we have to submit to hair testing.i think ALL state, county, and government officials including Congress should have to do it as well.
Tom says
You may not know this, however, look at the self certification, why are certain groups allowed to drive without a medical certification?? If you haul corpses no
What the hell.
phantom 389 says
Since drug testing truck drivers was first implemented the number of accidents per trucks on the road has dramatically increased. Drug testing has had no effect on reducing accidents. Actually, you could argue that it has increased the number of accidents.
Tom says
It’s not bout safety…a bad driver that can deliver 1 load is still an asset for a powerful company.
It’s not career drivers that’s the problem, it’s kids buying, stealing, illegally obtaining pain meds and alcohol that’s the problem.
Look at those big companies that regularly hire non drivers…right
bRad says
Benjamin Franklin said, “those who would sacrifice freedom for safety, deserve neither”
Tom says
It’s not truckers taking drugs that’s the issue, it’s kids illegally obtaining drugs and booze that’s the problem, sadly, congress won’t stop till trucks are parked all over
It’s not safety, look at the log book and electronic logging,
I SAY REVOLT AND DO IT NOW..park those rigs and go home, call in sick for a couple weeks
Right
Keith Gammill says
Fine with me. Let’s be sure and include “all” office personnel too.
Tom says
Don’t forget to include the Supreme Court, rumor has it that the guys have oxycodone problems that last one that passed away enjoyed oxycodone and now that he’s passed away, they talk smack about him. That’s so sad.
Jered Morrison says
Fine with me let’s include all who receive child support and the children also. I pay child support for a kid who gets high daily and have had no contact with for over 10 years. However cause his ###t mother wanted more $$ per month. The state and the system were ok with making me homeless!
We as truck drivers have to remain drug free to earn our paychecks, also to keep our jobs .Also in some cases our drivers license too!
Robert Cox says
The day they force me to give them a hair sample for drug testing is the day I give up my CDL. 43 years as a driver. No drugs at all. No alcohol within 24hrs or more before driving. I will not be abused by companies and the government. We are supposed to be responsible adults. I have been on up to four company drug pulls for over 20 yrs. I have had up to 5 pulls in a month. Maybe companies need more randoms within their company. I’m still on 3 pulls. If I smell someone smoking pot I run away. I have always valued my CDL. THAT IS FADING AWAY FAST. Thanks to government and corporate run trucking companies.
Ed says
Then there will be a billion driver shortage and a month long wait at the grocery store for toilet paper
Semper Fi Ed says
The legal line is already drawn. Stuff that is naturally exuded from the body can be compelled for collection without juducial intervention. The big three are breath, urine and feces. Anything else? GET A WARRANT!!!
larry says
I think all the clowns in DC should be tested!
ObsoleteRigsRule says
Well this still does not affect Thetruckersreport.com kicking members out for no reason, other than disagreeing with staff. In a proper non foul statement on their forum.
Thanks TTR.
Rlph says
The DOT doesn’t need to push drug testing. Insurance companies often require drug testing to provide liability insurance.
The next big push will be to collect truckers DNA to test the urine in “trucker bombs”.