top of page
Image by Testalize.me

DOT CONSORTIUM

What is a DOT Consortium?

The DOT requires that all transportation employers have a drug and alcohol testing program in place. An owner operator cannot manage that program by themselves. Companies often do not want the burden of managing the program either. This is why businesses large and small count on Fastest Labs for DOT consortium services.


The DOT consortium acts as an intermediary between the employer and the testing laboratory. The consortium manages the random testing process, the collection of specimens, and the reporting of results. This helps employers to stay compliant with DOT regulations and ensures that their employees are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on the job.

Services Offered by DOT Consortiums

DOT consortiums offer a range of services to their members. These services include:
Random Drug and Alcohol Testing: DOT consortiums manage the random testing process. They ensure that a percentage of employees are tested at random intervals throughout the year. This helps to deter employees from using drugs or alcohol while on the job.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Collections

The consortium manages the collection process of specimens. They ensure that the samples are collected correctly and are transported to the testing laboratory in a timely manner.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Reporting

The consortium reports the results of the drug and alcohol tests to the employer. Most Negative Fastest Labs results come back in one business day and Fastest labs does your MIS Reports for you.

DOT Compliance Assistance

The consortium helps employers who need help staying compliant with DOT regulations. They can provide guidance on policies and procedures and help to ensure that employers are following the regulations correctly.

Benefits of Using a ESC Medical Solution DOT Consortium

There are several benefits to using a DOT consortium. These benefits include

Convenience: By using a DOT consortium, employers do not have to manage their drug and alcohol testing programs themselves. The consortium takes care of the testing process, which saves employers time and effort.


Local Service: Your consortium is managed locally, and your questions are answered quickly by Fastest Lab’s local professionals. There is no “press one” to speak to someone who doesn’t know you personally. Fastest Labs can schedule testing anywhere in the country that it is needed.


Compliance: The consortium ensures that employers are following DOT regulations correctly. This helps employers to avoid fines and penalties that can result from non-compliance.


Cost Savings: The consortium can negotiate lower testing fees with the testing laboratory, which can save employers money on their drug and alcohol testing programs. Fastest Labs has no middleman so you can save immediately.
Employee Safety: By ensuring that employees are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on the job, employers can help to keep their employees and the public safe and reduce liability costs.
 

DOT Random Drug Testing

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) requires random drug & alcohol testing for safety sensitive covered employees.  For 2023 the required annual random testing rates are as follows:

  • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [FMCSA] – 50% drugs, 10% Alcohol

  • Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] - 25% drugs, 10% Alcohol

  • Federal Transit Administration [FTA] - 50% drugs, 10% Alcohol

  • Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [PHMSA] - 25% drugs, no random Alcohol Testing

  • United States Coast Guard [USCG] - 50% drugs, no random Alcohol Testing. (USCG is with the Dept. of Homeland Security but follows DOT random testing rules)

  • Federal Railroad Administration [FRA]

  • Covered Service Employees: 25% drugs, 10% Alcohol.

  • Maintenance of Way Employees: 25% drugs, 10% Alcohol

  • Mechanical Employees - 50% drugs, 25% alcohol 

 

DOT random testing should be spread out evenly over the calendar year, typically monthly or quarterly.  The testing is required by Federal law and not affected by state laws. Companies can elect to use a stand-alone random testing pool or a consortium random testing pool.  Owner operators in the trucking industry must use a consortium random testing pool. Learn the differences between stand-alone random pool for drug testing and consortium random pool for drug testing –DOT Random Testing- Stand Alone or Consortium.   

DOT Urine Drug Test

DOT Urine Drug Test: AMP-Amphetamines (MAMP-Methamphetamine, MDMA-Ecstasy), COC-Cocaine, OPI-Opioids (including heroin, codeine, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone), PCP-Phencyclidine, THC-Marijuana. This is the Department of Transportation (DOT) required test. Testing includes confirmation at SAMHSA certified labs. All drug test results reviewed by the medical review officer. Order a DOT drug test online. 

DOT FMCSA Pre-Employment Drug Test

FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) DOT Urine Drug Test for Pre-employment. This test includes AMP-Amphetamines (MAMP-Methamphetamine, MDMA-Ecstasy), COC-Cocaine, OPI-Opioids (including heroin, codeine, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone), PCP-Phencyclidine, THC-Marijuana. This is the Department of Transportation (DOT) required test. Testing includes confirmation at SAMHSA certified labs. All drug test results reviewed by the medical review officer.


If you are an individual Owner Operator, an FMCSA Clearinghouse Pre-employment Query is also required. Please add this product at checkout if you would like National Drug Screening to provide it for you.


Drivers must also be enrolled in a Random Consortium Testing Program.

Breath Alcohol DOT

This is a required test for DOT programs and measures current impairment. The test is conducted with an evidential breath testing device commonly called a Breathalyzer. You will call and we will provide you the information for your appointment at our local facility for your breath alcohol test DOT.

Post-Accident/Emergency/ After Hours Drug Test

The price is for the test only for in-network, in clinic collections. Onsite collection is available and will be an additional charge above the cost of the test. 

Observed Drug Test

Collector or an observer of the same gender accompanies donor into the restroom and directly observes the act of urination. Includes: Reasonable Suspicion, Return to Duty and Follow-up tests. 

Return to Duty (RTD) and Follow-up Program Management

If a Sensitive Safety Employee test positive or refuses to take a required DOT drug test or alcohol test, they MUST complete the return to duty process before they can legally drive a commercial motor vehicle again. The program includes Substance Abuse Professional (SA) evaluation. 


We will manage the return to duty program as set by driver’s SAP and make sure all follow-up tests are done as ordered and reported to the FMCSA Clearinghouse

Note: This covers a one-year plan, any additional years on the follow-up plan will be billed at $69.00 a year. 

Company’s DOT Policy

A company MUST have a DOT policy in place before it can conduct any drug or Alcohol testing on its employees.  Each employee MUST review, sign, and maintain a copy within their possession.

Owner Operator DOT Consortium Package

This package is designed for owner operators* (Only Owner and Only Driver) regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – trucking companies and bus companies. This package is a great value as it includes all RANDOM testing for the calendar year. Price is per person per calendar year; if purchased in the 4th Quarter of the year, this payment will apply to the following year and a prorated amount will be due for the current year.

 

The package includes:

  • Enrollment into Random Testing Consortium,

  • Enrollment Certificate,

  • MRO Certified Testing Results,

  • Driver Education,

  • required annual clearinghouse query,

  • pre-employment DOT drug test (DOT Urine Drug Test) 

  • Clearinghouse Query

Note: fee includes $70.00 for pre-employment test and $135.00 for annual random consortium which includes all random tests.  Annual renewal is $135.00 per driver.


These Items will be required to complete your account set up and for DOT compliance:

  • Signed DOT Services agreement – sent via email during account set up.

  • Signed Credit Card Authorization to cover any future charges for service provided – sent via email during account set up.

  • You are also required to respond to emails and phone calls which are only made or sent regarding DOT compliance or billing issues.

NOTE: This program is billed on a calendar year basis. 

FMCSA Clearinghouse Pre-Employment Query

An employer (or an Owner-Operator) must conduct a pre-employment query for a prospective employee in the Clearinghouse prior to hiring the employee for a position requiring him or her to perform safety-sensitive functions, such as operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). The employer (or owner Operator) must also query the Clearinghouse annually for all currently employed CDL drivers including themselves if an Owner-Operator. A TPA or Third-Party Administrator may be used to conduct Clearinghouse Queries on behalf of an employer.

DOT Physical

DOT Physicals are available in all areas of the United States. DOT Physicals are required for all CDL drivers operating a vehicle with 9 or more passengers or a Gross Vehicle Weight Rate (GVWR) of 10,001 or more pounds. Our network of physical providers includes FMCSA-certified providers included on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME). This is a quick physical exam with a medical history questionnaire and the examiner will talk to you to make sure you are mentally, emotionally, and physically able to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). The exam includes checking vitals, a hearing test, a vision screening, and a quick urine dipstick test to rule out any medical issues.

United States Coast Guard 

USCG DOT Urine Test with CG – 719P This urine DOT drug test is often required by the Coast Guard and requires a signed form CG-719P which we provide with your drug test result. This is a DOT Urine Drug Test: AMP-Amphetamines (MAMP-Methamphetamine, MDMA-Ecstasy), COC-Cocaine, OPI-Opiates (including heroin, codeine, and morphine), PCP-Phencyclidine, THC-Marijuana. This is the Department of Transportation (DOT), US Coast Guard required test. We provide everything you need for the Us Coast Guard.

bottom of page