The Return-to-Duty (RTD) process is a critical component of the United States Department of Transportation’s (DOT) regulations, specifically designed for commercial vehicle drivers who have violated DOT drug and alcohol regulations. According to DOT guidelines, a minimum of six direct observed tests within 12 months are required, with the possibility of an additional four years of testing depending upon the need, as recommended by the substance abuse professional (SAP).
Tested positive for a drug test? Let us help you get back on the road. goMDnow provides CTPA services for the violated drivers under strict FMCSA clearinghouse regulations. Our network of 20,000 drug testing centres makes it easy for drivers to select the nearest collection site.
Our package for return-to-duty process (FMCSA) includes:
The main purpose of the DOT RTD process is to put truck drivers back onto the road who have tested positive for drug or alcohol prohibition or who have refused a mandatory drug or alcohol test. Below are the steps included after a failed drug test or a drug test violation:
Upon a drug- or alcohol-positive result or refusal to take the test, a commercial driver is instantly terminated from working in any safety-sensitive duties for any employer.
The driver must undergo an evaluation by a DOT-qualified SAP. This includes:
Based on the SAP’s recommendations, the driver must complete the required treatment and/or education programmes.
After completing the treatment and/or education, the driver must undergo a follow-up assessment and evaluation with the SAP to determine if the return-to-duty criteria have been met.
Before returning to safety-sensitive work, the driver must take a DOT return-to-duty drug and/or alcohol test. This test must be conducted under direct observation and must be characterized as a DOT return-to-duty test.
Once the driver has returned to safety-sensitive duties, they must undergo a series of unannounced follow-up tests. The DOT requires a minimum of six tests over 12 months, but the actual number and frequency of these tests are determined by the SAP based on the driver’s progress.
Key milestones of a driver’s RTD process, including completion of the return-to-process and follow-up testing plan, are recorded in the FMCSA Clearinghouse. Employers are required to check the Clearinghouse records when hiring a new CDL holder and annually for all employed CDL drivers.
A driver who has violated DOT drug and alcohol policies is legally prohibited from performing any commercial vehicle driving or safety-sensitive duties for anyone for five years or until they complete the DOT RTD process.
49 CFR Part 40 Outlines the methods used by the federally regulated transportation industry to conduct drug and alcohol testing at work.
49 CFR Part 382 Contains the restricted drugs, alcohol consumption, and testing regulations for commercial driver’s licence (CDL) holders.
49 CFR Part 383, 391, 392 Include requirements for CDL licencing, driver qualifications, and driving of commercial motor vehicles.
C/TPAs are essential in ensuring that employers and drivers adhere to the stringent regulations set forth by the FMCSA to promote safety on the roads. Their services help streamline the RTD process, but employers must understand that they retain ultimate legal responsibility for compliance.
When a DOT-covered employee tests positive for DOT drug and alcohol tests, the employee is rapidly terminated from safety-sensitive work and is directed to a qualified SAP (Substance Abuser Professional) so that the employee may be able to join the duty after completing the DOT Return-to-Duty Process under the supervision of SAP.
SAP (substance abuse professional) is a qualified professional who evaluates drivers for violations of the DOT drug and alcohol program and designs a plan for teaching, management, follow-up tests, and rehabilitation. SAP assesses drivers after explaining their circumstances and recommends the type of recovery they need. For your CDL to be put back into good standing and documented in the clearinghouse, drivers must complete the return-to-duty process according to the guidelines of SAP.
After the violation of DOT drug tests, the truck driver may not be able to rejoin duty for at least 5 years until or unless the return-to-duty process is completed.
The cost of a return-to-duty process (DOT) can vary from person to person. One of the reasons for the unexpected cost a driver incurs is the duration of the follow-up testing plan, which differs from person to person as it can last for years depending on the SAP’s recommendations for the relevant driver.
goMDnow keeps the pricing simplest for the RTD process; you have to pay an enrollment fee only once for the drug and alcohol test each time based on the SAP assessment.
Enroll for the RTD process with more than 20,000 collection sites all over the US, making it easy for drivers to provide samples no matter where they are located. For further details and queries, contact us at 980-655-4455
