DOT Medical Card Drug Test: Are you ready to become a truck driver? Before you can begin your long-hauling journey, you need to make sure that you’re qualified.
Ultimately, the process will be long and grueling. Nevertheless, it’ll prove to be well worth it. Once you’ve completed the course and passed the test, you can begin working and making money. Licensed truckers are paid respectfully.
Whether you’re a truck driver instructor, transportation supervisor, long-haul cargo truck driver, or an owner-operator, you’ll need a DOT medical card. Before you can be approved, you’ll have to pass the DOT physical.
Remember that this requires applicants to submit urine samples. Does this mean that you’re going to be drug tested? Ultimately, it depends on the circumstances. Continue reading the guide below to learn more about this subject.
What Is DOT?
If you’re going to become a truck driver, you need to learn more about DOT. It isn’t a dot on a piece of paper. Instead, DOT stands for the Department of Transportation. It is an important agency in the United States.
The USDOT is a vital cabinet department that focuses solely on transportation. It was established in 1966 and became operational in April 1967. The department is headed by the secretary of transportation.
It should be noted that DOT has several administrations, including the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Office of Inspector General, Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Highway Administration, and more.
The Department of Transportation is vital in the trucking industry since it oversees trucking companies and truck drivers.
All truckers will have to complete a specialized Department of Transportation physical before they can get a trucking job.
DOT Physical Purpose
Driving a vehicle is easy. Driving a cargo truck is much different. You must remember that truckers are required to be behind the wheel for many hours each day. It is much harder than driving back and forth to work.
Instead, you’ll find yourself behind the wheel for four or five hours before you get a break. Then, you’ll drive a bit longer before you finally rest for the night.
The DOT physical is designed to ensure that you’re capable of completing the job. The DOT physical is an ongoing requirement.
You’ll have to take it when you become a trucker. In addition to this, you’ll be tested every two years.
You’ll have to complete the physical and pass to maintain your CDL and DOT medical certificate.
What Does It Check?
As mentioned above, the Department of Transportation physical is designed to ensure that you’re capable of being a trucker. Therefore, it is going to check your physical health.
It would be unsafe for someone with poor eyesight to drive a truck for a living. The DOT physical checks your health to ensure that you don’t have certain problems that could lead to problems when driving.
For instance, you might have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, or diabetes. If you have any of these issues, it could be dangerous for you to drive long hours.
Regardless, the physical ensures that only qualified, healthy people can become truck drivers.
Are You Going To Be Drug Tested?
The DOT physical is an important step. You’ll have to pass the physical so you can get your DOT medical card. While many people believe that the DOT physical includes a drug test, this isn’t true.
The Department of Transportation doesn’t require a drug test, but you’ll likely take one anyway. You’ll usually take the physical once you’ve found a suitable trucking job.
The DOT is going to take your urine sample to check your health. Furthermore, your potential employer may ask the DOT to conduct a drug test as well. Ultimately, most employers are going to drug test their workers.
Therefore, there is a good chance that you’ll have to pass a drug test as well as the DOT physical. Failing to do so will lead to problems and prevent you from getting the position.
Just remember that the drug test should be conducted separately. It depends on the company and circumstances.
Failing A DOT Drug Test
Unfortunately, some people are going to fail drug tests. It happens. If you fail a conventional pre-employment drug test, you’re going to lose the job opportunity. Most companies will not hire people who’ve failed drug tests.
In some rare situations, they might give you another chance. The company may work with you and give you another opportunity once you’ve completed a course.
If you’re dealing with a DOT physical and drug test, you’ll have to jump through another hoop too. First, you have to remember that your potential employer asked for the drug test. That company likely won’t hire you now.
Any failed drug test will be reported to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug and Alcohol Clearing House.
Before you can begin working again, you’ll have to complete a course with a DOT-approved substance abuse counselor. Once this happens, you can try getting another driving job.
Summary
Being approved by the Department of Transportation is exciting. You’re one step closer to getting a good job and creating a life for yourself.
However, you must remember that you’ll have to complete the DOT physical. Although it doesn’t include a drug test, most trucking companies will make you take one anyway.
Therefore, you have to stop abusing drugs before trying to get a trucking job. Stop a few weeks before the interview to avoid losing the job opportunity.
FAQs on DOT Medical Card Drug Test
What Does DOT Physical Urine Test For?
Remember that the DOT physical does not require a drug test. Instead, the Department of Transportation is going to use your urine sample to check your kidneys.
It does this to make sure that you’re healthy enough to drive a truck. Still, some companies add a drug screen to the mix.
If you’re going to be drug tested as a part of the DOT physical, the test will check for opiates, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and phencyclidine.
What Does A DOT Drug Test Test For?
DOT drug tests are similar to other pre-employment drug tests. It will check for the most commonly abused drugs, including opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, phencyclidine, and marijuana. If you’ve used any of these drugs recently, you’re likely going to fail the test and lose the driving opportunity.
What Happens If You Fail A DOT Physical Drug Test?
Have you failed a DOT drug test? Initially, you may believe that it is the end of the world. It isn’t. However, you cannot begin working yet.
Before you can get a truck driving job, you’ll have to complete one extra step. Any failed DOT drug test or alcohol test will be submitted to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug and Alcohol Clearing House.
Once this happens, you’ll have to complete the RTD or return-to-duty process by working with a substance abuse professional qualified by DOT.
Once you’ve done that, you can likely begin looking for other jobs.
What Drugs Will Make You Fail A DOT Drug Test?
While it is best to avoid all drugs, you must remember that some are detected by drug tests and others aren’t. In general, most drug tests are going to check for the most common drugs.
They’ll identify traces of marijuana, amphetamines, opiates, cocaine, and phencyclidine. Anyone who has been using these drugs will receive a positive drug test.
Read Also: Does DOT Physical Drug Test?
