Does anyone know anything about a career in truck driving?

The D.O.T. has strict guidelines regarding a positive drug test that employers must follow to the letter. The amount of time that must elapse before returning to work will depend on satisfactory completion of all requirements set forth in these guidelines.

"A driver must be removed from safety-sensitive duty if he/she has a positive drug test result. The removal cannot take place until the MRO has interviewed the driver and determined that the positive drug test resulted from the unauthorized use of a controlled substance. A driver cannot be returned to safety-sensitive duties until he/she has been evaluated by a substance abuse professional, has complied with recommended rehabilitation, and has a negative result on a return-to-duty drug test. Follow-up testing to monitor the driver's continued abstinence from drug use is also required."

An employer is under no obligation to pay for rehabilitation or to hold a job for any employee who has tested positive for drug use. The increased liability and added cost of continued monitoring along with any extra insurance expense may be reason enough for most employers to cut their losses and find someone else for the job. Additionally, be aware that the policy of the employers insurance carrier often plays a significant role, if it does not provide the final word, in a decision to retain, fire or hire.

Drug testing confidentiality may be maintained under strict confidentiality by the employer, the drug-testing laboratory, and the medical review officer. However, these records can be released to others with the written consent of the driver and it is common practice for a potential employer to obtain consent prior to conducting a background check. Thorough driver background checks are routinely carried out in an effort to reduce risk and avoid potential liability while satisfying present or future FMCSA/DOT scrutiny.

Consult the employers record keeping policy to determine how long information stays on the books. Pre-employment background checks may be maintained for 3 years or more. Negative drug and alcohol tests may be kept for only a year. However, refusals to test, and SAP referral information may be maintained for 5 years or more. Information released to other employers concerning current or previous employees may also be maintained for 5 years or more.

The D.O.T. does not maintain a permanent past or failed test record for individuals. Only statistical information is gathered. Each M.R.O. submits a report annualy (see: http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/NEW_DOCS/appendix/Appd... ) providing totals for the different categories of of test results. Laboratories submit a report semi-annually (see: http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/NEW_DOCS/appendix/Appd... ) providing totals for the number of tests performed by the lab during that period. Finally you may want to take a look at http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/testingpubs/FR_2000062... the official document used by the laboratory conducting the drug test to satisfy D.O.T. record requirements.

The D.O.T. authorizes the following persons and entities to posses copies:

Copy 1 - Laboratory

Copy 2 - Medical Review Officer

Copy 3 - Collector

Copy 4 - Employer

Copy 5 - Subject

Nevertheless, anyone who has failed a DOT mandated drug test should be aware they could be facing a difficult road ahead due to pre-employment or post-employment background investigations. Honesty is the best policy. Attempts to mislead a potential employer could be even more devastating if discovered later. Omit an unfavorable job reference at your own peril.

Blacklisting can and does occur in the commercial driving industry. Many companies report to DAC (Drive-A-Check), a subsidiary of USIS, who in turn provides a report to trucking companies seeking information on prospective employees. If there are any negative entries you will have a much harder time finding employment. Prior to applying for a new driving job request a copy of your DAC Employment History File to see if it negatively reflects you and dispute any incorrect information found.

You are allowed to receive a free copy of your report directly from USIS Consumer Services, Inc. under the following conditions:

1.) If it has been twelve full months since you last received a free copy of your report;

2.) A person or company has taken adverse action against you because of information in your USIS Consumer Services Report. This means that if you have been denied employment due to information cited by USIS Consumer Services, you are entitled to a free report within 60 days after you have been declined employment;

3.) At any time you feel that information included in your file contains inaccurate information supplied by a former employer;

4.) If you are unemployed and expect to apply for employment within the next 60 days;

5.) If you are currently receiving public assistance or welfare;

6.) If you live in a state which has laws that dictate that you are

entitled to a free copy of your report for any other reason, and;

7.) If you have been a victim of identity theft, and have previously placed a fraud alert on your report.

If you qualify for a free report under any the above circumstances, submit the following information and required documentation to them in writing to obtain your report:

USIS now offers and online form in pdf format that you can print, fill out, and send to them. Instructions are included on the form.

You can find it online at: http://tinyurl.com/USIS-DAC-report-request

If you do not meet any of the above required circumstances for requesting a free report, you must include $10.00 (as of 5/23/08) with your request for a copy of your report. Acceptable methods of payment include a personal check, money order, or a cashiers check.

If you are unsure about anything related to the process of obtaining your report, you can call them at the following number with any questions that you have at 1-800-381-0645.

There are a few things a person who failed a drug test can do that may improve their employment odds. Favorably complete a documented drug treatment program, find an opening with an employer known to have employed at least one other driver who had previously tested positive, consider offering to cover the expense of increased drug testing or insurance if either issue comes up, and be prepared to accept work for less compensation than the going rate while building a favorable driving history. After six months to a year seek a raise accordingly or find a better paying position elsewhere.

As a final word of advice; stay clean. No forward thinking driver wants to face the prospect of either no employment, or a life sentence of employment at companies with lower than average pay or higher than average driver turnover. Keep in mind that if a potential employer is always hiring (i.e., always looking for drivers), but the company is not growing there is probably a reason. Further, no one wants to worry the person driving the rig they or loved ones are sharing the road with could be the source of unnecessary tragedy. A professional driver is defined by conduct, not compensation.

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Tell the stupid person to stop using drugs. There are Federal rules regarding failing a drug test. Tell your friend to talk to the person that told him to attend SAP classes. The consequences are that he will have a difficult time finding a driving job.

Take it from the wife of a former owner operator, my hubby drove big truck for about 10 yrs. We were always in a hole. the is just no way to get ahead.

Since your friend failed one drug test it goes on permanent driving record, tell him to try again in about 6 months. But beware all companys will pull random test, so if he has one this week they could and do pull them again the next week

Good Luck to him

Nothing wrong with it, you go for it and ignore some of these lazy (non-working) negative people on here. My older brother is a police officer, me a teacher, my next brother is a business man and the youngest one is a long distance lorry driver ... Guess who is the most happiest and cheerfull living life with no extra worry? ... Yes, the lorry driver and he earns quite a good wage.