If you’re a bus driver, a cab driver, or a pilot, you know that you’re obligated to take that DOT drug test. If you never really understand what this test is, this is your chance to understand and take this issue off your mind.

In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the DOT test. Follow up if you want to know more about it.

What is DOT?

DOT stands for the Department of Transportation. Among the many objectives and obligations this public bureau has, they also have the duty to pay attention to drivers who conduct transportation devices. Think about pilots, drivers of public vehicles, and others.

They all have to pass the test that was implemented in 1991 as a part of safety regulation. This regulation was brought because of the try to make all positions that are responsible for the lives of more people at once, safer for the people entrusting them. Read more on this here.

Why is the test performed?

Whenever someone wants to get a job in a company that is following these regulations, they must pass the test. If they don’t, the job will simply be given to someone else.

Performing it should uncover the presence of more possible drugs. Some of them are THC, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine. The same one is being conducted to everyone so if you haven’t been using any of these things, you have nothing to worry about.

If you’re wondering why you have to do something like this, the answer is simple – just imagine it’s your responsibility to fly an aircraft with 200 people on board and you make a one-foot error because you weren’t completely sober at the moment. Not just that you’re going to die, but another 200 people with you also going to die.

When is it performed?

Whenever you’re about to get a job, you can be sure that you’ll have to be checked for these drugs. However, this is not the only situation when you’ll have to face it.

The examination is being performed completely randomly from time to time. This is being done to keep everyone alerted and be sure that the safety is always on the highest level. Read more about safety regulations here: https://www.nhtsa.gov/laws-regulations.

Also, the examiners can come to your home and ask for a sample if they have a reasonable cause or suspicion. For example, if you’ve been a part of an accident that might not have been your fault, the officials must perform the test just to make sure that you haven’t been under influence at the moment.

Not being on the job for some time will also put you on the least of people who must undertake the exam. The agency wants to be sure that you haven’t been doing anything illegal during the time you were off duty. It’s a kind of serious job, so everyone must be in top shape.

Additional things you need to know

How serious this thing is, shows the fact that if you happen to fail, the lab practitioners will inform the officials who will send an official letter to your employer that you must be taken off the position. In other words, you’ll no longer be allowed to do this job.

The kit that was being used for years had a change in 2018 when 4 more opioids were added to the panel. Now it is richer in ingredients, and harder to pass for those who wanted to cheat. For this kind of news, always read the DOT drug testing guide that is being updated regularly.

Conclusion

If you’re about to get a job in this industry, or you’ve been dealing with some drugs over time, these are the things you need to know. Doing nothing illegal will get you worry-free, but if you’ve been doing something, then you probably should not apply for a job where more people will be under your control.

There’s no need for panic if you never did any of this. The test can’t show false results. Even if it does, you still have the right to ask for a do-over.