When Are Truck Drivers Subject to Drug Tests?

The trucking industry is very serious about being drug-free. Someone using illegal/harmful drugs shouldn’t be driving a big rig. Drug tests are given in several instances, in order to make sure truck drivers and others working in the business aren’t going to cause problems for themselves, the company, and/or the general public on the roads.

Typically, pre-employment testing is conducted to determine if applicants are or aren’t using illegal drugs. Usually this is after a conditional job offer has been made, and the testing may be scheduled or done on an unannounced basis.

If a supervisor can document observable signs/symptoms that seem to indicate an employee is using drugs, then there’s what’s called “reasonable suspicion,” and a company may conduct drug testing to determine if there’s a violation of the company’s drug-free workplace policy.

Should a trucker get into an accident (especially one where there are fatalities), they may be subject to “post-incident” drug testing after the accident in order to determine if drugs or alcohol were factors.

Meanwhile, truckers can expect either random or periodic drug testing. Random typically means a computer randomly chose who gets tested, whereas periodic typically involves everyone in a company on a scheduled basis.

If a trucker had a prior known problem with drugs, they may end up doing a “return-to-duty” drug test, which allows the company to ensure they’re clean and ready to return to work. Furthermore, “return-after-illness,” “post-rehab testing,” and “pre-promotion” testing are also possible times when a company may do drug testing.

To be a successful truck driver, don’t use illegal drugs. Then you won’t have to worry about any drug testing you’re asked to do.