drug testing
As Marijuana-Use Laws Spread, Drug Still Illegal for Truck Drivers
A display of pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes from Willie's Reserve at a farmers market in Los Angeles, on June 20, 2019. Though it is gaining acceptance, it is still illegal for truckers to smoke marijuana. (Associated/Richard Vogel)
Last month, drug-testing firm Quest Diagnostics scientist Barry Sample had a serious warning for U.S. employers: Be on the lookout for marijuana use by your workers. It’s on the rise.
June 25, 2019OMB to Review Hair Drug-Testing Proposal
An example of hair drug-testing. (Quest Diagnostics)
ROCKVILLE, Md. — A hair drug-testing proposed rule has been sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review, a top official with the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said at a meeting June 11.
June 11, 2019FMCSA Updates Truckers on Parking, Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Issues
FMCSA's Joe DeLorenzo provides a driver update at a MATS session. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A top Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration official updated truckers on the agency’s efforts to mitigate parking problems and the obligations for drivers as the agency moves toward implementation of the drug and alcohol clearinghouse rule.
March 28, 2019Senate Passes Bill Requiring HHS to Explain Delays in Hair-Testing Guidelines
Psychmedics
The Senate has passed legislation with a provision that would require the Department of Health and Human Services to provide an explanation for a 21-month delay in issuing mandatory federal hair testing guidelines for safety-sensitive transportation employees such as truck drivers.
September 18, 2018Senate Panel Wants Explanation for Delays on Hair Testing Guidelines
(Psychmedics)
A Senate committee on May 22 unanimously approved a bill that would require the Department of Health and Human Services to provide an explanation for a 15-month delay in issuing mandatory federal hair testing guidelines for safety-sensitive transportation employees such as truck drivers.
May 22, 2018Federal Drug Advisory Board Discusses Proposed Hair-Testing Rule
Hair test (Psychmedics)
ROCKVILLE, Md. — Members of a federal drug testing advisory board met in a closed session on March 21 to review a draft proposed rule. The rule would allow trucking companies to conduct government-certified pre-employment drug testing using hair samples, according to a top official with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
March 21, 2018Drug Clearinghouse Rule Fails to Give State Agencies Proper Authority
Getty Images
A glitch in the federal drug and alcohol clearinghouse final rule requires state licensing agencies to check the database for drivers who have flunked their drug tests, but fails to give state agencies the regulatory authority to take action by downgrading or declining to issue a commercial driver license to those drivers.
January 24, 2018DOT to Require Testing for Synthetic Opioids Beginning Jan. 1
TT File Photo
Beginning Jan. 1, truck drivers being administered random pre-employment and post-accident drug tests will be screened for four additional synthetic opioids, the highly addictive drugs that likely will require medical experts to consider prescriptions that balance pain mitigation with safety performance.
November 30, 2017DOT to Add Four Opioids for Transportation Worker Drug Testing
Tolga TEZCAN/Getty Images
The U.S. Department of Transportation plans on Jan. 1 to begin testing truck drivers and other “safety-sensitive” transportation employees for the semi-synthetic opioids hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone and oxycodone, the agency announced Nov. 9.
November 9, 2017Canadian Trucking Groups Call for Zero Tolerance as Marijuana Legalization Looms
Trucks cross the Canada-U.S. border (Thinkstock)
Canadian trucking associations are calling for a zero-tolerance policy for marijuana use among drivers as the country prepares to legalize the drug for recreational purposes in July 2018.
October 25, 2017