Skip to main content

What is DOT Drug Testing? and What happens if Failed?

 

DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing

There are many reasons why you may need a DOT Drug Test for a job. What if you fail the DOT drug test? What happens to your record when you fail the DOT drug test? Does it stay on your record forever or not? If so, how long does it stay on your record? Here is everything we know.

What is DOT Drug Testing?

DOT stands for The Department Of Transportation. The DOT drug test is a standard panel of drug tests given to commercial drivers and other transportation workers mandatory in the safety sensitive industries. 

The Department of Transportation (DOT) conducts mandatory tests for drugs and alcohol when hiring truck drivers, railroad operators (engineers), tanker drivers, or school bus operators (drivers).

The primary purpose of the DOT drug test is to ensure a safe work environment in areas of transportation. Many jobs are safety-sensitive and require that the employees maintain a certain level of alertness to ensure that they can perform their duties safely.

Consequences of Failing DOT Drug Test

There are consequences for every action. And when it comes to drugs, even a typical day-to-day habit can have serious repercussions. Drug tests are just one of the many reasons why you must avoid any substance abuse.

Mentioned below are some consequences of failing a DOT drug test:

1. Loss of Job

Drug tests are carried out regularly in many workplaces to ensure that the employees are fit for their jobs. Your employer may be aware of your habits, and they may approach you about it. If you fail to respond and you continue to behave irresponsibly, you may lose your job.

This means that not only will you lose your current job, but if a future employer finds out about your habit, your qualifications or lack thereof will not be taken into account, and you may not be offered any work at all.

2. Loss of Housing

Because drug tests are conducted for several reasons, it is understandable that your housing will be tested at some point. While you might not lose your home, you may not be allowed to stay there if these tests reveal that you have used drugs in the past.

3. Termination from the Job

Now that drug tests have become so common in the United States, employers can quickly terminate their employees because of a failed drug test. This is not uncommon for them, and they will do it without much thought.

If there is any doubt regarding the information provided by a potential employee, they will be tested for allergies and drugs.

4. Suspension of License

If you are a driver working in the public transportation industry, chances are you will be suspended from your work for 30 days, beginning the day after you have failed your drug test.

And even if you aren’t a truck driver, failing that drug test could lead to disqualification from any employment in the trucking industry altogether.

5. Fines and Fees

There are heavy penalties if you happen to commit a drug-related offense. For starters, your employer will probably have to pay a hefty fine for failing you, in case they are confident that as a driver you are prone to substance abuse, and then they may even have to pay for your defense attorney’s services.

6. Mandatory Treatment

Also, after failing your DOT drug test, you may be forced to undergo treatment for your substance abuse problem in an approved facility before obtaining employment again in the public transportation industry.

7. Permanent Disqualification

If you have failed your DOT drug test more than once, your employer will most likely terminate your services, and you may face a permanent disqualification as well.

There is a zero-tolerance policy in the public transportation industry regarding drug use. Employers must fire drivers who test positive for drugs regardless of whether they are prescription or recreational substances.

8. Criminal Prosecution

If you happen to be convicted of drug-related offenses, you will be violating federal law and charged with a federal crime. These kinds of crimes have serious consequences that can include jail time.

It is in your best interest to avoid drug use at all costs because being caught with drugs by the local police or DOT officials can cause you to lose your livelihood and possibly even ruin your life.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is Drug Test Kits?

  A drug test kit is a device or substance used to detect the presence of drugs or other substances in a person’s body. There are several types of drug test kits available, including: Urine drug test kits : These kits are used to detect drugs in a person’s urine, and are commonly  used for pre-employment , random, and post-accident drug testing. Saliva drug test kits : These kits are used to detect drugs in a person’s saliva, and are becoming more common as they are easy to administer, non-invasive and can detect recent drug use. Hair drug test kits : These kits are used to detect drugs in a person’s hair, and can detect drug use over a longer period of time. Blood drug test kits : These kits are used to detect drugs in a person’s blood, and are considered the most accurate method of testing but are invasive and costly. Sweat drug test kits : These kits are used to detect drugs in a person’s sweat, and are less common but can detect recent drug use. Drug test kits can detect a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Employer Drug Testing - Pros and Cons!

  D rug use is also a major cause of violence in the United States. It is estimated that 20 to 60 percent of all violent crimes are committed by users of drugs or alcohol. These crimes include murder, sexual assault, and robbery. The link between drug use and violence has been supported by recent studies done by the National Medical Association which showed that people who used heroin or cocaine at least once were five times more likely to be violently assaulted than those who did not use either substance. This helps companies promote corporate social responsibility. Why Should Every Company Drug Test You After An Accident? Many accidents happen in the workplace. These unfortunate events can be reduced by ensuring that employees are drug-free at the time of work. Drug tests are a useful way for employers to protect their workers and ensure that they have a safe environment to work in, which can lead to decreased employee turnover and increase productivity. Drug testin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pros and Cons of Mandatory Drug Screening In Schools

  Recently, there has been a significant rise in substance use among teenagers. Research by the  National Institute on Drug Abuse  (NIDA) found that more than 20% of 8th graders have consumed an illegal substance at least once, and 11% of 12th graders are addicted to any one of the illegal substances. It is one of the biggest problems we face as a society since these drugs are wreaking havoc on our younger generation. Many public schools have begun implementing mandatory drug testing policies for their student body to combat this issue. The  5-panel drug test  is often used to detect substance use within schools. Yet, the effectiveness of these programs is still not apparent. In this article, we will analyze the boon and bane of mandatory drug testing to determine whether it should be compulsory for every school to install these programs. The Effectiveness of Mandatory Drug Tests A report based on the Psychological Corporation’s Drug Testing and Workplace Screen...
Post a Comment
Read more