Random Drug Testing is Required by the Department of Transportation
Both the California and U.S. Departments of Transportation require that some commercial licensed drivers be subjected to random drug testing. The reasons are simple: no operator of large vehicles should be doing so while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In California, this includes those individuals holding commercial licenses, which include classes A, B and C with a hazardous materials endorsement. The individuals who must be tested include the following:
Public employees in California who are subject to the CA DOT drug testing rules are at the Air Resources Board, California Conservation Corps, Franchise Tax Board, California Highway Patrol, and departments of Consumer Affairs, Corrections and Rehabilitation, Developmental Services, Education, Employment Development, Fish and Game, Food and Agriculture, Forestry, General Services, Mental Health, Motor Vehicles, Parks and Recreation, Veterans Affairs and Water Resources.
The rules are applied in five situations: for reasonable suspicion, post-accident, pre-employment, return to duty (as when the driver took a leave of absence, including to seek rehabilitation) as well as random testing. Random testing of ten percent (10%) of all drivers per year are part of the federal rules for private employers. In addition to testing for alcohol, urine samples collected detect marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates (such as heroin) and phencyclidine (PCP). A screening process ensures that medications are not misidentified as prohibited substances.
In some organizations there are employees whose primary responsibilities are unrelated to the operation of motor vehicles yet they hold a commercial driver’s license for special occasions or to serve as substitutes in employee absences. Those individuals are required to be included in the pool of individuals who are prescreened for those responsibilities, as well as be subject to the random testing program.
Why random drug testing is necessary
The clear and primary reason that random and other forms of drug testing are necessary is to prevent injuries and save lives on the streets and highways. But the net effect of employee drug testing goes further. A positive test result is not necessarily grounds for termination in many situations, allowing the employer to steer the employee toward treatment of substance abuse.
Another benefit is that employers can reduce their own financial and moral liability when they randomly test for drugs and alcohol. A random test is the most fair and non-discriminatory means of applying testing rules. And to the employee, the imposition of a random drug testing rule enables him or her to know with certainty that they cannot engage in illegal recreational drug use in their off-hours.
Both the California and U.S. Departments of Transportation require that some commercial licensed drivers be subjected to random drug testing. The reasons are simple: no operator of large vehicles should be doing so while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In California, this includes those individuals holding commercial licenses, which include classes A, B and C with a hazardous materials endorsement. The individuals who must be tested include the following:
- Individuals or employees of companies that own or lease commercial vehicles.
- Local, state and federal government employees.
- Civic organizations and churches with employees involved in transport.
- Private and for-hire motor carriers.
Public employees in California who are subject to the CA DOT drug testing rules are at the Air Resources Board, California Conservation Corps, Franchise Tax Board, California Highway Patrol, and departments of Consumer Affairs, Corrections and Rehabilitation, Developmental Services, Education, Employment Development, Fish and Game, Food and Agriculture, Forestry, General Services, Mental Health, Motor Vehicles, Parks and Recreation, Veterans Affairs and Water Resources.
The rules are applied in five situations: for reasonable suspicion, post-accident, pre-employment, return to duty (as when the driver took a leave of absence, including to seek rehabilitation) as well as random testing. Random testing of ten percent (10%) of all drivers per year are part of the federal rules for private employers. In addition to testing for alcohol, urine samples collected detect marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates (such as heroin) and phencyclidine (PCP). A screening process ensures that medications are not misidentified as prohibited substances.
In some organizations there are employees whose primary responsibilities are unrelated to the operation of motor vehicles yet they hold a commercial driver’s license for special occasions or to serve as substitutes in employee absences. Those individuals are required to be included in the pool of individuals who are prescreened for those responsibilities, as well as be subject to the random testing program.
Why random drug testing is necessary
The clear and primary reason that random and other forms of drug testing are necessary is to prevent injuries and save lives on the streets and highways. But the net effect of employee drug testing goes further. A positive test result is not necessarily grounds for termination in many situations, allowing the employer to steer the employee toward treatment of substance abuse.
Another benefit is that employers can reduce their own financial and moral liability when they randomly test for drugs and alcohol. A random test is the most fair and non-discriminatory means of applying testing rules. And to the employee, the imposition of a random drug testing rule enables him or her to know with certainty that they cannot engage in illegal recreational drug use in their off-hours.
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