Drug testing and HOS question?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Moose1958, Feb 25, 2020.

  1. Jenn72

    Jenn72 Medium Load Member

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    I was on home time and got called for one. (Didn't know what it was at the time) My company just told me when I got back to the yard to go see safety. I went and saw safety and was told to go do a drug test. I left safety went to my truck. Logged on duty and went to the clinic in my pov. When I was finished I drove back to the yard and logged off duty. My company pays me by the hour if I get called for a drug test.
     
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  3. mpd240

    mpd240 Road Train Member

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    My buddy has an app for his eligibility on phone. Away from the truck isn’t a problem.
     
  4. HoneyBadger67

    HoneyBadger67 Road Train Member

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    If you're on hometime, I don't think your employer can ask you to go for a random. That would be similar to being in Cancun and they want you to go fir a random. Bugger off, ya apes!
     
  5. Wasted Thyme

    Wasted Thyme Road Train Member

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    As those regs in the OP show, YES, they can ask. That said. Still needs to be logged in, and they still need to inform you of this policy ahead of time. Off duty can be your 10, 34, or home time.
     
    roshea Thanks this.
  6. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    There are two randoms. The drug random and the alcohol random.
    Like the op pointed out in the very first post, a drug random (controlled substance) can be called anytime, including if you are on safari in Africa. My advice is simply don't answer work calls on you days off.
    The alcohol random has specific times it can be done. Right before, right after, and during work.
     
  7. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    I've never been called for a random off duty, probably for the gray area in the question. Usually I'd go for a random once I got back to the terminal
     
  8. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    Something worth mentioning: there's a grace period for a company to send the selected driver for a random. I found this out with a company I worked for before, I won't say the name. It's a decent amount of time to get it done. So companies have ample time to route their drivers back to a terminal, or headquarters, or wherever. It's no reason to call up a driver on off duty time, even though FMSCA says a driver can get popped at any time. More often than not, home time would be on the weekends anyway. So if a driver is called while on off duty status, I would bet that he/she isn't on hometime
     
  9. wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    This is the reason for the guideline from the DOT.A company may authorize contacting an off-duty driver to donate a drug screen but you won't find this in the BAC testing sections.
     
  10. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    I have been driving CMVs since way before the CDL law was passed along with this drug testing. Remember this was before having cell/smart phones was common. My safety dept could not get in contact with me when I was off duty but not at home. When at home it was just a quick 5 minute trip to the clinic and most of the time I was in and out quickly. I think the previous poster said it best if you don't want to be bothered don't accept a call or text. The carrier has no choice but to notify you when returning to work.

    I will add one more CRITICAL point. When off duty NEVER agree to a breath test! I had something like this happen to me close to 15 years ago. I had been drinking and my safety dept called. Told me to go test. When I got to the clinic they informed me of the breath test. I said NO WAY I am off duty and had been drinking ( My Brother in law took me to the clinic). I got a refusal to blow, but the director of safety fixed it later.
     
    PE_T and Linte_Loco Thank this.
  11. Linte_Loco

    Linte_Loco Road Train Member

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    I understand. I was just pointing out how it is viable in today’s world. A driver is required today with Elon’s to have paper logs on hand in the event of a malfunction. If the company has a policy in place and the employee agreed ahead of time then it’s very easy to log properly under guidelines.

    Im not saying it’s a good idea, just pointing out how it can be accomplished legally.

    Im 53. I remember well a non instant communication world. I remember excavating a job site and there were lines that weren’t supposed to be there. Loved getting paid to wait for the
     
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