by: Tom Fulmer
This week the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced, pursuant to 49 CFR 382.305, that it is reducing the minimum annual percentage rate for random controlled substances testing for drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) requiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL) effective in calendar year 2016.
What is changing For 2016?
The FMCSA has announced it is lowering the random controlled substances testing rate from 50% to 25%. This new rate takes effect on January 1, 2016.
Why the change?
Each year the DOT / FMCSA evaluates the positive percentage testing rates for the previous year. Since the positive rate has been below 1% for the past three consecutive years, they determined the testing rate could be lowered while still maintaining safety and deterrance. If the rate ever increases above 1% in the future, the rate will likely revert back to 50 percent.
Does My Company Have To Decrease Testing To Only 25% of my employees?
The regulation states you must test at least 25% of your average number of driver positions on an annual basis so the answer is NO…But if you’d like to test at a higher rate than DOT mandate, we will need to put you in a separately managed pool.
Does this mean the alcohol testing requirements are changing as well?
No…there is no change to the random testing rate for alcohol for 2016; It remains at 10%.
Will I need to use a different Chain of Custody Form?
No, CCF’s will remain the same but Electronic Chain of Custody has been approved and will be available in 2016.
Is the FMCSA testing for any additional controlled substances in 2016?
No, the list of required controlled substances will remain the same.
National Drug Screening
Need Pre-employment Screening, Random Testing, Reasonable Suspicion Testing for DOT or Non-DOT? National Drug Screening can help anywhere in the US including Hawaii, Alaska, and even Puerto Rico. Call 866-843-4545 … and we do answer the phone!
