2013 DOT Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Rates

On November 28^th the Department of Transportation released the minimum random drug and alcohol testing rates required by each of the operating administrations.  The mandatory testing requirements apply to employers with staff who perform safety sensitive duties within the DOT agencies (Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) and the United States Coast Guard.

In 2013 the random drug testing rate for the United States Coast Guard will go from 50% down to 25%, leaving the FMCSA as the only administration testing at 50%.  The rates for the other modes will remain the same.

The regulations state, “Employers (and C/TPAs) subject to more than one DOT Agency drug and alcohol testing rule may continue to combine covered employees into a single random selection pool. However, companies (and C/TPAs) doing so must test at or above the highest minimum annual random testing rates established by the DOT Agencies under whose jurisdiction they fall.”