Novato, CA Facts, Population, Income, Demographics, Economy

Population (total): Population in 2017: 55,980 (95% urban, 5% rural). >Population change since 2000: +17.5%

Population (male): 27,322

Population (female): 28,658

Median Age: 45.6 years

Median Rent: Median gross rent in 2017: $2,094.

Cost of Living: March 2019 cost of living index in Novato: 160.4 (very high, U.S. average is 100)

Poverty (overall): Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2017: 7.9%

Poverty (breakdown): (4.9% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 20.5% for Black residents, 15.1% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 21.0% for American Indian residents, 13.6% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 16.8% for other race residents, 8.7% for two or more races residents)

Sex Offenders: According to our research of California and other state lists, there were 23 registered sex offenders living in Novato, California as of January 18, 2021. The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Novato is 2,394 to 1.The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is much

Ancestries: Ancestries: Italian (7.1%), Irish (7.0%), German (5.6%), English (4.3%), European (4.1%), American (3.6%).

Elevation: 18 feet

Land Area: 27.7 square miles.

Population Density:

Zip Codes: 94947, 94949

Median Incomes:
      Estimated median household income in 2017: $97,708 (it was $63,453 in 2000)
      Estimated per capita income in 2017: $52,762 (it was $32,402 in 2000)
      Estimated median house or condo value in 2017: $755,925 (it was $364,800 in 2000) Novato:$755,925CA:$509,400

Races:
      White alone - 35,100 - 63.3%
      Hispanic - 11,416 - 20.6%
      Asian alone - 4,032 - 7.3%
      Two or more races - 2,452 - 4.4%
      Other race alone - 1,776 - 3.2%
      Black alone - 977 - 1.8%
      American Indian alone - 124 - 0.2%
      Native Hawaiian and Other
>Pacific Islander alone - 18 - 0.03%

Goldribbon

Recognitions and Certifications

Accredited Drug Testing has been recognized as one of the "Top 10 drug testing companies" for excellent customer service and we have received TPA Accreditation from the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association. We are active in all drug testing industry associations and our staff are trained and certified as drug and alcohol testing specialists.

Important Links

National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (https://ndasa.com/)

National Drug Free Workplace Alliance (https://www.ndwa.org/)

Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association (https://www.sapaa.com/)

Substance Abuse Mental Health Safety Administration (https://www.samhsa.gov/)

US Drug Enforcement Administration (https://www.dea.gov/)

Office of Drug alcohol Policy Control (https://www.transportation.gov/odapc)

FMCSA/CDL DRUG TESTING Novato, CA

Fmcsa Chain

FMCSA Services

  • FMCSA Drug Testing
  • FMCSA Alcohol Testing
  • FMCSA Consortium/Random Testing Enrollment
  • DOT Physicals
  • FMCSA Clearinghouse Services
  • FMCSA Policy Development

FMCSA/DOT Drug Testing Locations Novato, CA

180 ROWLAND WAY 0.9 miles

180 ROWLAND WAY
NOVATO, CA 94945
Categories: NOVATO CA

99 MONTECILLO RD MOB 1 5.9 miles

99 MONTECILLO RD MOB 1
SAN RAFAEL, CA 94903
Categories: SAN RAFAEL CA

3900 LAKEVILLE HWY 8.6 miles

3900 LAKEVILLE HWY
PETALUMA, CA 94954
Categories: PETALUMA CA

709 PETALUMA BLVD N 10.2 miles

709 PETALUMA BLVD N
PETALUMA, CA 94952
Categories: PETALUMA CA

1125 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BLVD STE N 10.3 miles

1125 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BLVD STE N
KENTFIELD, CA 94904
Categories: KENTFIELD CA

153 LYNCH CREEK WAY 10.5 miles

153 LYNCH CREEK WAY
PETALUMA, CA 94954
Categories: PETALUMA CA

151 LYNCH CREEK WAY 10.6 miles

151 LYNCH CREEK WAY
PETALUMA, CA 94954
Categories: PETALUMA CA

400 N MCDOWELL BLVD 10.6 miles

400 N MCDOWELL BLVD
PETALUMA, CA 94954
Categories: PETALUMA CA

1550 Professional Drive, Suite B 10.8 miles

1550 Professional Drive, Suite B
Petaluma, CA 94954
Categories: Petaluma CA

25 BELLAM BLVD STE 101 10.8 miles

25 BELLAM BLVD STE 101
SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901
Categories: SAN RAFAEL CA

1300 South Eliseo Drive, Suite 101 11.4 miles

1300 South Eliseo Drive, Suite 101
Greenbrae, CA 94904
Categories: Greenbrae CA

250 BON AIR RD 11.4 miles

250 BON AIR RD
GREENBRAE, CA 94904
Categories: GREENBRAE CA

1220 S ELISEO DR 11.4 miles

1220 S ELISEO DR
GREENBRAE, CA 94904
Categories: GREENBRAE CA

1321 S ELISEO DR 1ST FL 11.4 miles

1321 S ELISEO DR 1ST FL
GREENBRAE, CA 94904
Categories: GREENBRAE CA

2 FIFER AVE STE 130 12.0 miles

2 FIFER AVE STE 130
CORTE MADERA, CA 94925
Categories: CORTE MADERA CA

101 CASA BUENA DR 12.9 miles

101 CASA BUENA DR
CORTE MADERA, CA 94925
Categories: CORTE MADERA CA

347 ANDRIEUX ST 13.7 miles

347 ANDRIEUX ST
SONOMA, CA 95476
Categories: SONOMA CA

2970 HILLTOP MALL RD STE 203 15.8 miles

2970 HILLTOP MALL RD STE 203
RICHMOND, CA 94806
Categories: RICHMOND CA

2425 CHURCH LN 16.2 miles

2425 CHURCH LN
SAN PABLO, CA 94806
Categories: SAN PABLO CA

901 NEVIN AVE BLDG B FLOOR 1 16.4 miles

901 NEVIN AVE BLDG B FLOOR 1
RICHMOND, CA 94801
Categories: RICHMOND CA

2000 VALE RD 16.5 miles

2000 VALE RD
SAN PABLO, CA 94806
Categories: SAN PABLO CA

17 Tennessee St 16.7 miles

17 Tennessee St
Vallejo, CA 94590
Categories: Vallejo CA

243 GEORGIA ST STE B 16.9 miles

243 GEORGIA ST STE B
VALLEJO, CA 94590
Categories: VALLEJO CA

120 BROADWAY STE 23 17.1 miles

120 BROADWAY STE 23
RICHMOND, CA 94804
Categories: RICHMOND CA

500 Alfred Nobel Drive, Suite 115 17.2 miles

500 Alfred Nobel Drive, Suite 115
Hercules, CA 94547
Categories: Hercules CA

520 6TH ST 17.3 miles

520 6TH ST
RODEO, CA 94572
Categories: RODEO CA

3726 BARRETT AVE 17.5 miles

3726 BARRETT AVE
RICHMOND, CA 94805
Categories: RICHMOND CA

975 SERENO DR 17.6 miles

975 SERENO DR
VALLEJO, CA 94589
Categories: VALLEJO CA

1370 MEDICAL CENTER DR STE B 17.7 miles

1370 MEDICAL CENTER DR STE B
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928
Categories: ROHNERT PARK CA

300 HOSPITAL DR 18.0 miles

300 HOSPITAL DR
VALLEJO, CA 94589
Categories: VALLEJO CA

6174 STATE FARM DR 18.4 miles

6174 STATE FARM DR
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928
Categories: ROHNERT PARK CA

5900 STATE FARM DR 18.6 miles

5900 STATE FARM DR
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928
Categories: ROHNERT PARK CA

6025 LABATH AVE ste 104 18.7 miles

6025 LABATH AVE ste 104
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928
Categories: ROHNERT PARK CA

4749 SURREY LN 19.7 miles

4749 SURREY LN
EL SOBRANTE, CA 94803
Categories: EL SOBRANTE CA

2042 Columbus Pkwy, 20.7 miles

2042 Columbus Pkwy,
Benicia, CA 94510
Categories: Benicia CA

3285 CLAREMONT WAY FL 2 20.7 miles

3285 CLAREMONT WAY FL 2
NAPA, CA 94558
Categories: NAPA CA

1100 ROSE DR ste 140 20.8 miles

1100 ROSE DR ste 140
BENICIA, CA 94510
Categories: BENICIA CA

1000 TRANCAS ST 21.0 miles

1000 TRANCAS ST
NAPA, CA 94558
Categories: NAPA CA

3260 Beard Road, Suite A 21.0 miles

3260 Beard Road, Suite A
Napa, CA 94558
Categories: Napa CA

3435 VALLE VERDE DR STE B 21.4 miles

3435 VALLE VERDE DR STE B
NAPA, CA 94558
Categories: NAPA CA

2505 BATAAN ST STE O 21.8 miles

2505 BATAAN ST STE O
OAKLAND, CA 94607
Categories: OAKLAND CA

2850 7TH ST STE 100 23.1 miles

2850 7TH ST STE 100
BERKELEY, CA 94710
Categories: BERKELEY CA

845 JACKSON ST 23.2 miles

845 JACKSON ST
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133
Categories: SAN FRANCISCO CA

2300 SUTTER ST STE 102 23.3 miles

2300 SUTTER ST STE 102
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115
Categories: SAN FRANCISCO CA

2201 Post St, 23.4 miles

2201 Post St,
San Francisco, CA 94115
Categories: San Francisco CA

900 HYDE ST 23.5 miles

900 HYDE ST
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109
Categories: SAN FRANCISCO CA

49 DRUMM ST 23.6 miles

49 DRUMM ST
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111
Categories: SAN FRANCISCO CA

26 CALIFORNIA ST 23.6 miles

26 CALIFORNIA ST
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111
Categories: SAN FRANCISCO CA

580 MARKET ST STE 100 23.8 miles

580 MARKET ST STE 100
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104
Categories: SAN FRANCISCO CA

6001 SHELLMOUND ST STE 850 23.8 miles

6001 SHELLMOUND ST STE 850
EMERYVILLE, CA 94608
Categories: EMERYVILLE CA

601 VAN NESS AVE Ste 2008 24.0 miles

601 VAN NESS AVE Ste 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102
Categories: SAN FRANCISCO CA

990 Sonoma Ave, 24.1 miles

990 Sonoma Ave,
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Categories: Santa Rosa CA

6800 Palm Avenue, Suite G 24.1 miles

6800 Palm Avenue, Suite G
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Categories: Sebastopol CA

652 PETALUMA AVE STE C 24.2 miles

652 PETALUMA AVE STE C
SEBASTOPOL, CA 95472
Categories: SEBASTOPOL CA

1111 SONOMA AVE STE 121 24.2 miles

1111 SONOMA AVE STE 121
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
Categories: SANTA ROSA CA

2450 ASHBY AVE 24.3 miles

2450 ASHBY AVE
BERKELEY, CA 94705
Categories: BERKELEY CA

538 STONE RD STE G 24.3 miles

538 STONE RD STE G
BENICIA, CA 94510
Categories: BENICIA CA

505 PARNASSUS AVE Ste 896 24.5 miles

505 PARNASSUS AVE Ste 896
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94143
Categories: SAN FRANCISCO CA

Castro & Duboce St, South Tower Ste 160A 24.6 miles

Castro & Duboce St, South Tower Ste 160A
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114
Categories: SAN FRANCISCO CA

24 WILLIE MAYS PLZ 24.7 miles

24 WILLIE MAYS PLZ
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107
Categories: SAN FRANCISCO CA

2198 15th St, 24.7 miles

2198 15th St,
San Francisco, CA 94114
Categories: San Francisco CA

349 COLLEGE AVE 24.8 miles

349 COLLEGE AVE
SANTA ROSA, CA 95401
Categories: SANTA ROSA CA

200 MUIR RD Hacienda Bldg, 1st Floor 24.8 miles

200 MUIR RD Hacienda Bldg, 1st Floor
MARTINEZ, CA 94553
Categories: MARTINEZ CA

3237 ALHAMBRA AVE STE 2 24.9 miles

3237 ALHAMBRA AVE STE 2
MARTINEZ, CA 94553
Categories: MARTINEZ CA

(800) 221-4291

Schedule Your Test

The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration was a result of the Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999. The passing of this act created FMCSA, which on January 1, 2000, established the FMCSA was as a separate operating division within the United States Department of Transportation (DOT).

The FMCSA is headquartered in Washington, DC, and with a staff of more than 1,000 people in all 50 States and the District of Columbia and is the Federal Agency taking the initiative for regulating, providing safety and oversight of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), improving the safety of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) and saving lives.

FMCSA Mission

  • Reduce crashes,
  • Reduce injuries, and
  • Reduce fatalities involving large trucks and buses.

What CDL Drivers Need to Know

In 1991, the United States Congress passed the Omnibus Transpiration Employee Testing Act, which required DOT agencies to implement drug and alcohol testing for all safety-sensitive transportation employees. Congress recognized the need for a drug and alcohol-free transportation industry, and thus 49 CFR Part 40, commonly referred to as Part 40 was established as a DOT-wide regulation that provides guidance on:

  • Who is subject to testing
  • How to conduct testing and
  • How to return employees to safety-sensitive duties after they violate a DOT drug and alcohol regulation.

49 CFR Part 40 provides guidance on all DOT-required drug and alcohol testing, regardless of the mode of transportation. For example, whether you are an airline pilot covered by FAA rules or a driver for a trucking company covered by FMCSA rules, Part 40 outlines the specific procedures for collection, testing of specimens and reporting of test results. Each DOT Agency-specific regulation defines who is subject to testing, when and in what situations for a particular that specific transportation industry.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and 49 CFR Part 40 has defined drug and alcohol testing rules and regulations for employees who drive commercial trucks and buses that require a commercial driver's license (CDL). These regulations identify who is subject to testing, when they are tested and in what situations. The regulations also require privacy protections and restrictions on employers and service agents against the use and release of sensitive drug and alcohol testing information.

On January 6, 2020, the DMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse House took effect. All FMCSA Employers to include owner-operators have specific requirements to comply with the Clearinghouse rule. Listed below is a summary of clearinghouse requirements.

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How will employers use the FMCSA Clearinghouse?

  • Report drug and alcohol violations. This will include alcohol test results with a concentration of .04 or greater, refusals to take an alcohol or drug test, as well as actual knowledge of a violation.
  • Employers will also report negative return-to-duty (RTD) test results and the successful completion of a driver's follow-up testing plan.

** Please note that the information above must be reported by the close of the third business day after the employer is informed

  • Conduct pre-employment queries to check if prospective employees are prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions, such as operating CMVs, due to an unresolved drug and alcohol program violation.

** Employers are also required to conduct queries on all current employees at least annually. All queries require driver consent.

  • Until January 6, 2023 employers must conduct both electronic queries in the Clearinghouse and manual, offline inquiries to previous employers for pre-employment driver investigations.

How will Owner-Operators Use The Clearinghouse?

Beginning January 6, 2020 owner-operators will need to coordinate with their C/TPA(s) to ensure the following requirements are met.

  • Report drug and alcohol violations. This will include alcohol test results with a concentration of .04 or greater, refusals to take an alcohol or drug test, as well as actual knowledge of a violation
  • Employers will also report negative return-to-duty (RTD) test results and the successful completion of a driver's follow-up testing plan.

** Owner-operators or C/TPAs may report violation information about other drivers employed by the owner-operator. If an owner operator commits a drug and alcohol program violation, this information MUST BE reported by the C/TPA

** Please note that the information above must be reported by the close of the third business day after the employer or C/TPA is informed.

  • Conduct pre-employment queries to check if prospective employees are prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions, such as operating CMVs, due to an unresolved drug and alcohol program violation.

** Employers are also required to conduct queries on all current employees at least annually. All queries require driver consent.

  • Until January 6, 2023 employers must conduct both electronic queries in the Clearinghouse and manual, offline inquiries to previous employers for pre-employment driver investigations.

For more information or to select ADT as your C/TPA click here to learn more about the clearinghouse services we offer

Who is covered under FMCSA DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations?

FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMIN (FMCSA) COVERED EMPLOYEES

Employees or individuals who are working on public roads meeting the following criteria are FMCSA "covered" employees.

These are employees who:

  1. Have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), or similar license issued by Mexico or Canada, and
  2. Operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) in any state:
    • a. A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is then defined as a vehicle:
      • i. with a gross vehicle weight rating/gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight rating/gross combination weight of 26,001 or more lbs., or
      • ii. designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or
      • iii. of any size that is used to transport hazardous materials which require the vehicle to be placarded

With FMCSA there is only one safety-sensitive category of covered employee which is Driver.

FMCSA and DOT Frequently Asked Questions?

Who is tested?

Typically all CDL drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles are subject to the CDL requirements on the public roadways in the United States and who are also performing safety-sensitive functions are subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing under section (§382.103). This would also include all full-time, part-time, intermittent, backup and international drivers.

When does testing occur?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires testing under the following conditions:

  • Pre-employment testing.
  • Post-accident testing.
  • Random Testing
  • Reasonable suspicion testing.
  • Return-to-duty testing.
  • §382.311 Follow-up testing.

When in an FMCSA Pre-employment test required?

The FMCSA defines a Pre-employment test as prior to the first time any driver performs safety-sensitive functions for any employer (this includes a single owner operator). Part 40 states that the driver shall undergo testing for controlled substances as a condition of employment.

Furthermore, no employer shall allow a driver to perform safety-sensitive functions unless the employer has received a negative controlled substances test result from the MRO or C/TPA indicating a verified 5 panel DOT negative test result for that driver.

Are there any exceptions to FMCSA pre-employment drug testing?

In short, yes, the following examples are permitted as exemptions to the pre-employment drug testing requirement.

An employer is not required to administer a DOT pre-employment drug testing if:

  1. The driver has participated in a controlled substance testing program that meets DOT requirements within the previous 30 days: and
  2. While participating in that program, either:
    • a. Was tested for controlled substances within the past 6 months (from the date of the application with the employer); and
    • b. Participated in a DOT random drug and alcohol testing program for the previous 12 months (from the date of application with the employer); and
  3. The employer ensures that no prior employer of the driver of whom the employer has knowledge has records of a violation of this part or the controlled substances use rule of another DOT agency within the previous six months.

As an FMCSA regulated employer and choose to utilize the above-referenced exception. Employers must contact the DOT controlled substances testing program(s) in which the driver participates or participated and shall obtain and retain from the testing program(s) the following information:

  • Name and address of the drug-testing program
  • Verification that the driver participates or participated in the program(s).
  • Verification that the program(s) conforms to part 40 of this title.
  • Verification that the driver is qualified under the rules of this part, including that the driver has not refused to be tested for controlled substances.
  • The date the driver was last tested for controlled substances.
  • The results of any tests taken within the previous six months and any other violations of subpart B of this part.

Does FMCSA require a pre-employment alcohol test?

The FMCSA doesn't require a pre-employment alcohol test; however, Employers may choose but are not required to, conduct pre-employment alcohol testing under this part. On the other hand, if the employer chooses to conduct pre-employment alcohol testing, it must comply with the following requirements:

  1. An employer must conduct a pre-employment alcohol test before the first performance of safety-sensitive functions by every covered employee (whether a new employee or someone who has transferred to a position involving the performance of safety-sensitive functions).
  2. Employers must treat all safety-sensitive employees performing safety-sensitive functions the same for the purpose of pre-employment alcohol testing (for example, employers must not test some covered employees and not others).
  3. An employer must conduct the pre-employment alcohol tests after making a contingent offer of employment or transfer, subject to the employee passing the pre-employment alcohol test.
  4. Conduct all pre-employment alcohol tests using the alcohol testing procedures outlined in 49 CFR part 40 of this title.
  5. You must not allow a covered employee to begin performing safety-sensitive functions unless the result of the employee's test indicate an alcohol concentration of less than 0.04.

For more information call us today or purchase your pre-employment drug test online

(800) 221-4291

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What is FMCSA Post Accident Testing?

A Post-Accident drug/alcohol test must be conducted as soon as possible following an occurrence involving a commercial motor vehicle operating on a public road in commerce and each employer shall test for alcohol for each of its surviving drivers:

  1. Who was performing safety-sensitive functions with respect to the vehicle, if the accident involved the loss of human life; or
  2. Who receives a citation within 8 hours of the occurrence under State or local law for a moving traffic violation arising from the accident, if the accident involved:
    • a. Bodily injury to any person who, because of the injury, immediately receives medical treatment away from the scene of the accident; or
    • b. One or more motor vehicles incurring disabling damage as a result of the accident, requiring the motor vehicle to be transported away from the scene by a tow truck or other motor vehicle.

Other scenarios triggering a post-accident drug testing include:

  1. A driver who receives a citation within thirty-two hours of the occurrence under State or local law for a moving traffic violation arising from the accident, if the accident involved:
    • a. Bodily injury to any person who, as a result of the injury, immediately receives medical treatment away from the scene of the accident; or
    • b. One or more motor vehicles incurring disabling damage as a result of the accident, requiring the motor vehicle to be transported away from the scene by a tow truck or other motor vehicle.

** The following table notes when a post-accident test is required to be conducted per DOT regulations.

Type of accident involved

Citation issued to the CMV driver

Test must be performed by the employer

i. Human fatality

YES
NO

YES
YES

ii. Bodily injury with immediate medical treatment away from the scene

YES
NO

YES
NO

iii. Disabling damage to any motor vehicle requiring tow away

YES
NO

YES
NO

Types of Post-Accident Tests

  • 1. Alcohol tests: If an alcohol test is required by this section and is not administered within two hours following the accident, the employer shall prepare and maintain on file a record stating the reasons the test was not promptly administered.
  • 2. Furthermore, if an alcohol test required by this section is not administered within eight hours following the accident, the employer shall cease attempts to administer an alcohol test and shall prepare and maintain the same record. Records shall be submitted to the FMCSA upon request.
  • 3. Controlled substance tests. If a test required by this section is not administered within 32 hours following the accident, the employer shall cease attempts to administer a controlled substance test and prepare and maintain on file a record stating the reasons the test was not promptly administered and records shall be submitted to the FMCSA upon request.

Any driver who is subject to post-accident testing shall remain readily available for such testing or may be deemed by the employer to have refused to submit to testing. Post-accident testing would not delay any driver in receiving the proper or necessary emergency medical treatment.

What is FMCSA Random Testing?

All CDL drivers must be randomly tested throughout the year and an employer who employs only himself/herself as a driver, who is not leased to a motor carrier, shall implement a random testing program of two or more covered employees in the random testing selection pool as a member of a consortium/random testing pool.

The current rate for random drug and alcohol testing is:

50% of the average number of driver positions for Controlled Substances (5 panel DOT urine)

10% of the average number of diver positions for Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT)

How is Random Testing Conducted?

Random selections of drivers for random alcohol and controlled substances testing shall be made by a scientifically valid method. For example,

  • random number table or
  • a computer-based random number generator that is matched with drivers' Social Security numbers, payroll identification numbers, or other comparable identifying numbers.

Each driver that is selected for random alcohol and controlled substances testing must have an equal chance of being tested each time selections are made.

Each driver selected for testing shall be tested during the selection period.

Employers may use a service agent (e.g., a C/TPA) to perform random selections and your covered drivers may be part of a larger random testing pool (consortium) of covered employees.

Please note that it is a good idea to validate that your c/TPA is currently selecting and testing at the appropriate percentage established for your industry and that only covered employees are in the random testing pool. (Currently, FMCSA tests at a rate of 50% for drugs and 10% for alcohol). As the DER an employer must ensure that all random testing is unannounced and that testing is spread reasonably throughout the calendar year.

When a driver is notified, employers must ensure that the driver immediately proceed to the testing center.

If a driver is selected for a random alcohol test, the alcohol test must be conducted just before the driver is to perform safety-sensitive functions, or just after the driver has ceased performing such functions.

What is FMCSA Reasonable Suspicion Testing?

FMCSA Reasonable suspicion testing was established to detect if drivers appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be immediately tested. Employers must train CDL driver supervisors to detect the symptoms of driver impairment. Listed below is a summary of the FMCSA Supervisor training requirements. Click here to purchase your supervisor training course.

When Does Reasonable Suspicion, Testing Occur?

Any driver/safety sensitive regulated employee may be required to submit for a reasonable suspicion/reasonable cause drug or alcohol testing when the employer has reasonable suspicion to believe that the employee has violated the prohibitions of subpart B of this part concerning alcohol or controlled substances.

  • 1. For an employer to require the driver to undergo an alcohol and/or controlled substances test, the basis must be based on specific, contemporaneous, articulable observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech or body odors of the driver and/or indications of the chronic and withdrawal effects of controlled substances.
  • 2. The required observations for alcohol and/or controlled substances reasonable suspicion testing shall be made by a supervisor or company official who is trained in accordance with §382.603. The person who makes the determination that reasonable suspicion exists to conduct an alcohol test shall not conduct the alcohol test of the driver.
  • 3. Alcohol testing is authorized by this section only if the observations by the trained supervisor are made during, just preceding, or just after the period of the workday when the driver is on duty. A driver may be directed by the employer to only undergo reasonable suspicion testing while the driver is performing safety-sensitive functions, just before the driver is to perform safety-sensitive functions, or just after the driver has ceased performing such functions.
    • if an alcohol test is required, it must be administered within two hours following the determination that the employee was believed to be under the influence of alcohol. The employer must prepare and maintain on file a record stating the reasons the alcohol test was not promptly administered within the 2-hour requirement.
    • If an alcohol test required by this section and is not administered within eight hours following the determination, an employer shall stop any attempts to administer an alcohol test and shall state in the record the reasons for not administering the test within the required 8 hours.

Drivers are prohibited for from reporting for duty or remaining on duty requiring the performance of safety-sensitive functions while the driver is under the influence of or impaired by alcohol, which can be determined by the behavioral, speech, and performance indicators of alcohol misuse. Employers must not permit the driver to perform or continue to perform safety-sensitive functions, until:

A driver may not return to performing safety sensitive function until an alcohol test is administered and the driver's alcohol concentration measures less than 0.02; or

  • 24 hours have passed following the reasonable suspicion determination was made with regards to alcohol.

All observations must be documented which lead to a reasonable suspicion drug/alcohol test and must be signed within 24 hours by the trained supervisor who observed the behavior.

What is Supervisor Training?

49 CFR 382.603 is the FMCSA regulation that requires supervisors of commercial motor vehicle drivers who operate vehicles requiring a CDL to:

  • 1. Take 60 minutes of training on the symptoms of alcohol abuse and
  • 2. 60 minutes of training on the symptoms of controlled substances use (120 minutes in total).

The goal of this training is to educate and assist supervisors in identifying circumstances and indicators that may create reasonable suspicion that a driver is using or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, supporting referral of an employee for testing.

** If you operate vehicles that require a CDL on the public roads and you have more than one employee in the company, you are required to get DOT Supervisor Training. To verify if you are subject to the drug and alcohol regulations, please visit http://www.dot.gov/odapc/am-i-covered

  • 3. Owner-operators are not subject to DOT supervisor training. However, you are still required to register with a consortium for DOT drug and alcohol testing.

DOT Drug & Alcohol Supervisor Training Guidance Flow Chart- Click Here

If you need to be trained and certified for FMCSA required reasonable suspicion training, click here to register today

What is Return to Duty Testing?

A return-to-duty drug or alcohol test is required for all drivers who:

  • i. Test positive,
  • ii. Refuse to submit to a drug/alcohol test; or
  • iii. Violated any of the prohibitions of 49 CFR Part 382 Subpart B; and
  • iv. An individual who has completed the return-to-duty process with a DOT-qualified substance abuse professional.

All DOT return to duty drug tests are directly observed, and a negative result is required before resuming any safety sensitive duties.

** The requirements for return-to-duty testing must be performed in accordance with 49 CFR part 40, subpart O.

What is Subpart O?

Subpart O refers to the Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP) and the Return-to-Duty Process

Who is qualified to be a SAP?

Under DOT regulations, an individual is permitted to act as a SAP in the DOT drug and alcohol testing program, if you must meet each of the requirements of this section:

SAP's must have the following Credentials:

1. You are a licensed physician (Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy);

2. You are a licensed or certified social worker;

3. You are a licensed or certified psychologist;

4. You are a licensed or certified employee assistance professional;

5. You are a state-licensed or certified marriage and family therapist; or

6. You are a drug and alcohol counselor certified by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Certification Commission (NAADAC); or

7. by the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (ICRC); or by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates/Master Addictions Counselor (NBCC).

When is a SAP evaluation required?

A SAP is required when any safety "sensitive employee" violates any DOT drug and alcohol regulations. Once the violation has occurred, the employee must not perform any DOT safety-sensitive duties for any employer until he/she has completed the SAP evaluation, referral, and education/treatment process set forth in this subpart and in applicable DOT agency regulations.

What is a violation of DOT Drug and Alcohol Regulations?

  • 1. A verified positive DOT drug test result,
  • 2. a DOT breath alcohol test with a result indicating an alcohol concentration of 0.04% or greater,
  • 3. a refusal to test (including by adulterating or substituting a urine specimen) or
  • 4. any other violation of the prohibition on the use of alcohol or drugs under a DOT agency regulation constitutes a DOT drug and alcohol regulation violation.

What is the SAP's function in conducting the initial evaluation of an employee?

The initial step in this process is a SAP Evaluation. During the evaluation process all SAP's must conduct the following.

  • 1. Provide a comprehensive face-to-face assessment and clinical evaluation.
  • 2. Recommend a course of education and/or treatment with which the employee must demonstrate successful compliance prior to returning to DOT safety-sensitive duty.
    • a. This recommended education and treatment must be made for every individual who has violated a DOT drug and alcohol regulation.
    • b. A SAP must make a recommendation for education and/or treatment that will, to the greatest extent possible, protect public safety in the event that the employee returns to the performance of safety-sensitive functions.
    • c. Appropriate education may include, but is not limited to, self-help groups (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous) and community lectures, where attendance can be independently verified, and bona fide drug and alcohol education courses.
    • d. Appropriate treatment may include, but is not limited to, in-patient hospitalization, partial in-patient treatment, out-patient counseling programs, and aftercare.
    • e. A SAP must also provide a written report directly to the DER highlighting your specific recommendations for assistance and treatment.
    • f. As a SAP, you must assume that a verified positive test result has conclusively established that the employee committed a DOT drug and alcohol regulation violation.
  • 3. Substance Abuse Professionals must not take into consideration in any way, as a factor in determining what your recommendation will be, any of the following:
    • a. A claim by the employee that the test was unjustified or inaccurate.
    • b. Statements by the employee that attempt to mitigate the seriousness of a violation of a DOT drug or alcohol regulation (e.g., related to assertions of use of hemp oil, "medical marijuana" use, "contact positives," poppy seed ingestion, job stress); or
    • c. Personal opinions you may have about the justification or rationale for drug and alcohol testing.
    • d. In the course of gathering information for purposes of your evaluation in the case of a drug-related violation, you may consult with the MRO. MRO's are required to cooperate with the SAP and provide available information the SAP requests. It is not necessary to obtain the consent of the employee to provide this information.

How does the return-to-duty process conclude?

If you are an employer and you wish to permit the employee to return to performing of safety-sensitive functions, you must ensure that the employee takes a return-to-duty test. This test cannot occur until after the SAP has determined that the employee has successfully complied with the prescribed education and/or treatment. The employee must have a negative drug test result and/or an alcohol test with an alcohol concentration of less than 0.02 before resuming the performance of safety-sensitive duties.

An SAP or MRO must not make a "fitness for duty" determination as part of this re-evaluation unless required to do so under an applicable DOT agency regulation. It is the employer's responsibility to decide whether to put the employee back to work in a safety-sensitive position.

What is Follow-up Testing?

Follow-up testing is required for CDL drivers who have:

  • 1. Tested positive,
  • 2. Refused to test, or
  • 3. Otherwise violated the prohibitions of 49 CFR Part 382 Subpart B; and
  • 4. Who has completed the return-to-duty process with a DOT-qualified substance abuse professional, and
  • 5. Have tested negative for a return-to-duty test.

Follow up testing is prescribed by the substance abuse professional (SAP) and administered by the DER for a minimum of 6 directly observed tests in 12 months but can be extended an additional four years.BLOG

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