What is the DOT return to duty process?

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The DOT return-to-duty process is a series of steps that a safety-sensitive worker should follow after failing a drug test. If you get yourself involved in drug abuse during your commercial driving career, you could be stalled from your safety-sensitive position. You may return to duty after undergoing the DOT return-to-duty process, including evaluation, education, drug testing, and continued monitoring.

Once you successfully clear all those steps, you will be eligible to take your position. Either you are returning to work for the same employer or not, the return-to-duty drug test is essential after a DOT failed drug test.

DOT return-to-duty-overview

If you are a commercial driver or involved in any other safety-sensitive position, you might face random drug testing as per the guidelines of DOT ( Department of Transportation). If you fail your drug test, you might be fired from your position, and the employer may take away your drivers’ insurance. But you can redeem your job by going through the DOT return-to-duty process.

The DOT return-to-duty process also helps the employer ensure that the particular employee is eligible to take the safety-sensitive position.

Why Could a CDL Driver Need a DOT SAP Program?

The United States Department of Transportation recommends DOT drug testing for all employees involved in a safety-sensitive position to abide by the DOT drug and alcohol testing guidelines. The DOT SAP program is assigned to those employees who fail their drug test during random or post-accident drug testing.

Commercial vehicles are larger, and there are possibilities of getting crashed. If a commercial driver is under drugs, then there are higher chances of accidents that would be a threat not only for the driver but also for other passengers, employers, and the government. So, the DOT ensures all safety-sensitive employees take drug tests to reduce unnecessary accidents.

Apart from post-accident and pre-employment drug testing, DOT requires random drug testing for every employee who works in a safety-sensitive position. The random drug test involves the drug and alcohol testing done as per the guidelines of DOT. Some employees may never get tested, while others get tested multiple times during a year.

If a safety-sensitive employee fails a drug test or violates DOT's drug and alcohol policy, they will be asked to complete the DOT SAP return-to-duty program. The same applies if the employee refuses to take the drug and alcohol test.

DOT Violation Behaviors That Require Action

A commercial driver may be asked to go through the DOT return-to-duty process if the driver

1. Fails the drug test conducted by the company
2. Tested positive on alcohol test
3.  Refuses the DOT drug or alcohol test
4. Being found out tampering with the sample during the drug test.

The motor carrier should conduct a random or surprise drug test if he has suspicion of a driver. The driver may have to undergo a DOT return-to-duty process if the motor carrier.

1. Knows that the driver has been using Schedule-1 drugs like MMJ, COC, AMP, etc.
2. Drugs that may affect drivers’ ability to operate a CMV safely.

The driver may not run through the DOT return-to-duty process if the doctor has prescribed him to use the drugs while at work. The motor carrier should keep the history of the employee’s DOT return-to-duty process on track. That may help a new motor carrier to manage the process where his predecessor left off.