Blog Post One

If a driver has had more than one violation, this will show up on “Violation History” of the driver’s DOT Clearinghouse dashboard. Many new drivers are not familiar with their dashboard (until a violation occurs).   The driver’s dashboard will show the following:

1) Date a violation was put on the Clearinghouse

2) Reason for a test

3) Who reported it to the Clearinghouse: (for a drug test, the name of the MRO (Medical Review Officer); for an alcohol test or refusal, the name of whoever entered the information on behalf of the employer.)

I always encourage my new clients to spend some time getting familiar with their Clearinghouse dashboard.  This will help them during the SAP process and afterwards when they are required to undergo their random drug screens.

Blog Post Two

As the SAP, I also must develop and direct a follow-up testing plan for the employee returning to work following successful compliance with recommendations of the initial evaluation. The number and frequency of unannounced follow-up tests is directed by the SAP and must consist of at least six tests in the first 12 months following the employee's return to safety sensitive duties. If poly-substance use has been indicated, the follow-up testing plan should include testing for drugs as well as alcohol (for the alcohol rule violator), and for alcohol as well as drugs (for the drug rule violator). Follow-up testing can last up to 60 months, but can be terminated by you any time after 1 year (if all tests recommended up to that point are completed). This follow-up testing requirement is in addition to tests accomplished through the employer's random testing program.

Blog Post Three

DOT / SAP Evaluations Explained Step-by-Step

If you are a CDL holder, are employed as a truck driver, pilot, or similar safety-sensitive position and failed a DOT alcohol or drug test at work or left the testing site before successfully giving a sample, then your ability to work in your normal duties and make your normal income has hit a roadblock until you complete a DOT SAP evaluation. The roadblock part is easy to understand since your employer is under strict federal guidelines to immediately step you down from any safety-sensitive duties. Some employers also terminate the employee immediately, while others will move the employee to non-safety-sensitive duties while the issue is being resolved.  Regardless, it is often unclear to the employee as to what to do next if they would like to stay at the same company or in the same occupation and work under DOT rules. The process for a rule violation, regardless of whether the employee had a positive test or not, is always the same, and this blog explains it step-by-step.

What’s A SAP?
First things first – First you need to find a SAP (Substance Abuse Professional) who has training that qualifies them to evaluate a safety-sensitive DOT employee. The SAP must meet with you in person or by videoconference (e.g. Zoom call)  to assess your history and current status as far as alcohol or drug use are concerned. This meeting involves completing a written questionnaire completion followed by an interview.  

How The SAP Helps You
At the end of the first meeting (initial SAP evaluation) with the SAP you are going to be directed to participate in education, counseling, or treatment of some kind. The point of the first meeting is to choose an appropriate amount of intervention (education, counseling, or treatment). It is the SAPs job to find local resources for you to fulfill this DOT requirement. The SAP, by law, cannot refer you to themselves or anyone in their place of employment. This protects you as a consumer so you won't simply be referrred for services in the financial interest of the SAP.