Motor Carriers - FMCSA

The Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 requires drug and alcohol testing of safety-sensitive transportation employees who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV).

The FMCSA regulations require alcohol and drug testing of drivers, who are required to have a CDL. The division also oversees the motor carrier industry’s compliance with drug and alcohol testing regulations. This oversight is accomplished with on-site inspections, guidance documents, and policies.

The FMCSA rules apply to safety-sensitive employees, who operate commercial motor vehicles requiring a CDL.

Examples of drivers and employers that are subject to these rules are (the following does not represent a complete listing):

• Anyone who owns or leases commercial motor vehicles

  • Commercial motor vehicle means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the vehicle:

    • Has a gross combination weight rating of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 or more pounds) inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds); or

    • Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 or more pounds); or

    • Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or

    • Any size and is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 5103(b)) and which require the motor vehicle to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR part 172, subpart F).

• For-Hire Motor Carriers

• Private Motor Carriers

• Civic Organizations

• Churches

The current random testing rates for FMCSA are 50% for drug and 10% for alcohol.

Integrity will help you stay in compliance with FMCSA program requirements by establishing a complete substance abuse testing program that complies with both the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations as specified in 49 CFR Part 40 as well as FMCSA regulations as identified in 49 CFR Part 382.  Our goal at Integrity is to keep each client in compliance and audit ready.

Expanded DOT program information is available at www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/index.html: What Employers Need To Know About DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing [Guidance and Best Practices]