Do Owner-Operators Need a DOT Drug Testing Consortium?
Yes. You're both the employer and the driver, and your random pool needs at least two drivers. What the rules require, what a consortium does, and what a year costs.
DOT Compliance Blog & Insights
DOT compliance, explained.
Practical guidance for trucking employers, owner-operators, and DERs navigating FMCSA drug & alcohol testing.
Does a DOT Random Testing Program Expire? What Owner-Operators and Small Fleets Should Check
The rule has no end date. What can lapse is your enrollment, your Clearinghouse designation or your records. A six-point check for this year.
I Told My Driver He Was Selected. Why Does He Have to Go Right Now?
Your driver goes the moment you tell him. Why "immediately" matters, the notice mistakes that break a random program, and what an FMCSA auditor asks your C/TPA for.
My Driver Refused a DOT Drug Test. What Now?
A refusal counts as a positive. What counts as a refusal, who decides, what to document, and what you report to the Clearinghouse.
My Driver Says He Took a Prescription. What Do I Do?
Don't ask what he took. How the MRO handles prescriptions, what a safety concern report means, and why a medical marijuana card doesn't excuse a positive.
My Driver Failed a DOT Drug Test. What Now?
Take the driver off safety-sensitive duty today. What happens next for a small fleet: the SAP list, who reports to the Clearinghouse, the directly observed return-to-duty test, and follow-up testing.
DOT drug testing programs for small fleets: what needs to be in place.
Running a fleet of 60 drivers or fewer doesn't exempt you from the full weight of DOT drug and alcohol testing under 49 CFR Parts 40 and 382. What a complete small-fleet program requires — written policy, random pool and rate, post-accident testing, and choosing a TPA that holds up in an audit.
My Driver Tested Positive and Requested a Split Specimen Retest. Now What?
You’ve received a verified positive result from your MRO. Before you could take next steps, your driver contacted the MRO and requested that the split…
Drug Test Detection Window Basics for Transportation Employers
DOT drug testing only works when drivers show up to collect — and the narrow detection windows for most controlled substances make timing everything.…
My Driver Got Into an Accident—When Do I Need a DOT Post-Accident Test?
When you get the call that one of your drivers has been in an accident, the immediate questions flood in: Is everyone okay? What’s the damage? And for DOT…
My Driver Keeps Getting Selected for Random Testing—What Do I Tell Them?
You’ve probably heard it before: “Why am I always getting tested? This can’t be random!” It’s one of the most common complaints from drivers, and it can be…
My Driver Tested Positive on a Pre-Employment Drug Test—What Do I Do?
You’ve got a candidate who seemed perfect for the job. The interview went well, the driving record looked good, and you were ready to bring them on board.…
Is Your TPA Making DOT Compliance Harder Than It Needs to Be?
If you’re a trucking company owner or safety manager, you know that maintaining DOT compliance isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of your operation. But…
When Can I Switch My Third Party Administrator (TPA)?
If you’re frustrated with your current Third Party Administrator (TPA)—whether it’s poor service, confusing billing, or lack of support—you’ve probably…
When Do I Have to Remove a Driver from My DOT Driver List?
If you manage a DOT drug and alcohol testing program, you’ve probably asked this question: When exactly am I required to remove a driver from my random…