Randomized Drug Testing

In December of 1989, required Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing began. It included random drug testing. Random testing was challenged in the courts and, by 1992, was released by the Supreme Court with a "Yes, it is constitutionally allowed" to require random drug, and later, alcohol, testing. All DOT agencies began random testing at a rate of 50% drug and 25% alcohol.

There was a stipulation placed in the random testing that if a specific DOT agency had reduction in positive test results in consecutive 2 year increments the random rates would drop. All agencies, with exception of Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA), have seen drops to 25% drug with some, like Pipeline, even seeing a zero alcohol random rate required.

In 2015, the random rate for drug testing for FMCSA remains at 50% drug and 10% alcohol. If you have any questions, please call our office at 701-516-3850.

Update 1/16/2015