Are you prepared to follow the 2024 DOT drug testing requirements? Foley can help ensure you know if your drivers test positive for any of the substances below.
The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is here to stay, and unfortunately, so are the violations reported to it.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has released the latest Clearinghouse Monthly Summary Report, which includes data on the drug and alcohol violations reported through December 2023.
Below, we’ll tell you what you need to know from the report, including:
- The most standout statistics on FMCSA Clearinghouse queries and violations
- What substances drivers are testing positive for
- What this data means for DOT-regulated companies
- How a DOT compliance partner can help you with your Clearinghouse and drug and alcohol testing program
What does the FMCSA Clearinghouse report tell us?
Let’s start by looking at some of the most significant stats from the FMCSA Clearinghouse report.
- The total number of unique CDL/CLP holders queried in the 2023 calendar year through December is 3,465,438 – 811,605 of them were conducted in December alone.
- Within those queries, there were 4,941 total drug and alcohol violations for December 2023, which is lower than the number of violations reported in December 2022.
- Of the total violations reported, 81% were positive drug test results.
What substances are drivers testing positive for the most?
According to the FMCSA Clearinghouse report, the top five drugs and the number of times drivers tested positive for each substance through December 2023 are…
- Marijuana – 37,657
- Cocaine – 10,326
- Methamphetamine – 4,515
- Amphetamine – 4,222
- Oxymorphone – 1,094
These drugs have been the most-used substances for the past two years as well. Marijuana’s number-one spot on the list may be due to the confusion surrounding its legality in the US.
What’s the key takeaway from this? Remind your drivers that although many states have legalized the use of marijuana, it is not federally mandated, which means it is still illegal for CDL/CPL holders to use it and operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).
Related Foley article: Marijuana and CBD Use is On the Rise: Here’s What You Need to Know
What does this data mean for DOT-regulated businesses?
We can see that illegal drug use in CDL drivers continues to rise, which means fleets everywhere are at risk for major FMCSA Clearinghouse violations, including yours.
The current maximum penalty amount for FMCSA Clearinghouse violations is $5,833. No matter how big or successful your company is, that’s hard-earned money you shouldn’t have to waste on drug violation penalties that can be easily avoided.
The best way to steer clear of these violations and hefty fines? Work with a reliable DOT drug and alcohol testing partner.
What should you look for in a DOT compliance partner?
Handing over your drug and alcohol testing needs should feel like a weight lifted off your shoulders, but only if you choose the right company to handle them for you. Here’s what the ideal compliance partner should offer you.
#1. A Program that Keeps You DOT-Compliant
Your drug and alcohol testing program must meet all DOT requirements, such as the types of tests provided, the collection process, and the random testing rate.
Failing to implement a random testing program and using a driver before receiving a negative pre-employment test result are both among the most common violations we're seeing. With the support of a fully compliant partner, the likelihood of these violations is almost nonexistent.
#2. Digital Compliance Program Management
Managing your drivers’ compliance from the convenience of an online platform eliminates time-consuming paperwork and allows you to easily view random notifications, add or delete drivers from your program, and review drug test results as they become available.
All this data is stored securely and is made available from any mobile device, ensuring that all your testing documents are organized and readily available in case of an audit.
#3. Nationwide Network of Testing Locations
Especially when you’re managing interstate drivers, it’s important to know that they’ll always be near a DOT collection site. That way, if they get pulled for a random drug test while out on the road, or require post-accident testing, they’ll be able to meet those requirements without going too far out of the way.
When evaluating DOT drug testing providers, look for one that has a large network of collection sites for you to choose from. This will make it easier for you and your drivers to operate compliantly.
#4: FMCSA Clearinghouse Compliance
FMCSA Clearinghouse program management is key – especially if you’re still not sure about the differences between limited, full, and follow-up queries. Even if you are up to date on this information, having a third-party administrator run these queries before their due dates pass will save you plenty of time and headaches.
Foley always ensures proper driver consent is received before running any Clearinghouse query. You don’t have to second-guess and struggle through FMCSA Clearinghouse compliance with us on your side.
#5: Electronic Chain of Custody Form (eCCF) Capabilities
Electronic Chain of Custody Forms (eCCFs) simplify the process of sending employees for drug tests by eliminating paper shuffling. Forms are automatically sent to the drug testing facility and updated electronically throughout the process – eliminating legibility and data entry errors.
Foley customers can also get real-time updates on the status of an employee’s drug test, something that isn’t possible with paper forms.
#6 A Partner that Keeps Up with Changing Regulations, like the Recent DOT Oral Fluid Testing Ruling
As you probably heard, the DOT published a final ruling to expand its drug testing procedures to include oral fluid testing, effective June 1, 2023. A good compliance partner will closely monitor how this ruling will affect your drug testing program going forward so you can focus on running your business.
Put Foley’s Drug & Alcohol Testing Program to Work for You
The DOT Clearinghouse report also showed the highest number of positive test results or refusals were pre-employment drug tests and random alcohol tests.
By using Foley’s comprehensive DOT-compliant drug and alcohol testing process, you can conduct both types of tests, as well as post-accident, return-to-duty, and reasonable suspicion tests. We can take care of all your DOT drug testing requirements in 2024.
You can get a free demo of Dash, the Foley platform, today or speak with our knowledgeable compliance specialists to find out more. It’s time to make testing your employees a breeze! Fill out the form below to get started.
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