Motor carriers who are subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) received guidance from the agency allowing for some flexibility until May 30, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, DOT's Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy & Compliance (ODAPC) provided information about the impact of the national emergency on DOT testing requirements for employers, employees, and service agents. The COVID-19 national emergency has created disruptions that are interfering with, and often preventing, compliance with the drug and alcohol testing requirements.
The FMCSA has provided the following guidance (in addition to ODAPC's notice) in respect to testing operators of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) requiring commercial drivers' licenses (CDLs). The guidance is in effect until May 30, 2020, which is 90 days from the President's Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak. Note that drivers operating under the March 13 emergency declaration, who may be exempt from hours of service and other safety regulations while engaged in emergency response, are not exempt from drug and alcohol testing. For complete details, please review the FMCSA COVID-19 Drug & Alcohol Testing Guidance, and if you have any further questions contact ISRI’s Transportation Safety Director Commodor Hall.