Companies or small carriers that hire SAP drivers

I had a Interview with them they unfortunately do not hire SAP drivers at the moment in my area.

 

2 years and RTD status pending drygtest

 

Think I fugured out what's wrong. You'll have better luck on this thread: Scroll through the various threads/questions on here:
Random and Pre-Employment Screenings

 

Start your own thread here:
Random and Pre-Employment Screenings
Something like "Which companies hire SAP drivers out of Charleston, WV

 

I am not quite sure I understand. Are you saying drivers cannot go through the RTD process while unemployed? I was under the impression that Drivers select their SAPs on the clearinghouse, go through the RTD process and once they take their final drug test, if clean, they can return to duty. But the next hiring employer will have to follow the recommendations of the SAP and test the driver for 6 month or a year, however long the SAP recommends. Am I wrong here? Thanks

 

I am not quite sure I understand what you mean here. Are you saying drivers cannot go through the RTD process while unemployed? I was under the impression that Drivers themselves can select their SAPs on the clearinghouse, go through the RTD process and once they take their final drug test, if clean, they can return to duty. But the next hiring employer will have to follow the recommendations of the SAP and test the driver for 6 month or a year, however long the SAP recommends. Am I wrong here? Thanks

 

Let @brian991219 answer the question. I suspect you will see something coming from him within 24 hours!

 

Thanks for the tag @Moose1958
The only way to complete the return to duty process is to be employed by a motor carrier. It does not have to be the motor carrier you tested positive at, it can be any motor carrier, they just need to agree to follow the recommendations of the SAP councilor and provide all the required testing. They can charge you for the SAP related testing, but not any of the routine random, post-crash or other testing, while you are still in the return to duty process.

Motor carriers that are willing to hire drivers with an unresolved positive drug or alcohol result on their record are rare because they assume the liability for you completing the process and the extra paperwork is quite a burden, not to mention the time lost scheduling you for surprise, yet required, follow up testing for up to one year.

Now, if you get hired on with a company that will help you with the return to duty process they will have to have all the documentation from your SAP and any available records from your previous employer before they can even schedule you for the pre-employment drug screen. The good news is, guidance allows the pre-employment screen to also serve as you confirmatory negative test that allows you to return to safety sensitive functions while you complete the required follow up testing and counseling schedule as prescribed by the SAP.

It can be done, just not without an employer to assume the legal burden of documentation and testing since you can't enroll, at least not lawfully, into a compliant DOT drug and alcohol testing program unless you are employed (could include self-employment) by a DOT regulated entity in a safety sensitive function.

Unfortunately, the way the program is now it creates a big catch-22 for those that want to own their mistake and fix it without burdening an employer, but until the rules are changed this is the way it is.

I have seen, through my consulting business, drivers that apply for their own US DOT number and set up a exempt for-hire commodity company (no MC required and no insurance filings required) for the sole purpose of being their own "employer" and completing the RTD process so they can get back to work for someone that is not a second chance company. They never even haul a load or own a truck, just get the DOT number and ride it out for 6-12 months, then close shop and go back to work for someone. If you ask me that is a lot of burden, more so than sucking it up and working for a second chance company, but to each their own.

 

Thanks for explaining it so thoroughly. Much appreciated.

 

I tagged @brian991219 because I knew he would give you a better answer than I could. It has been 10 years since my rear was last in the driver's seat of a CMV. I also no longer trust my memory and because the FMCSA is adding things to the National Register almost every week I can't keep up with all the changes. On another forum, I made a serious mistake not all that long ago. I'm just an old dinosaur whose time to be put out to pasture is overdue!