What Is a Non DOT Drug Test?
Drug testing is an important part of maintaining a sober, drug-free environment that can help make your company safer and more productive. Non-DOT drug and alcohol testing is a type of drug screening that isn't regulated, so you have discretion concerning frequency, what drugs to test, and what methods to use.
DOT and non-DOT are different because many regulations govern DOT tests. A drug screening service can help ensure your company complies with federal and state regulations. Non-DOT drug tests can check for one substance, such as alcohol, or many substances.
DOT tests are always 5-panel tests. Non-DOT testing methods include urine, hair follicles, saliva, breathalyzer, and blood tests.
DOT tests are always a urine drug test.
Non-DOT tests can be conducted before a person is hired, annually, or at random intervals. DOT tests are required at predetermined times, including after an accident. Urine tests are the least expensive, but they are the most prone to tampering. Hair follicle tests are more reliable because they reveal drug use over a three to six-month period, but they are more expensive.
Drug testing is an important part of ensuring your employees are the right fit for their positions and operating at optimum productivity.
A sober, drug-free environment improves safety and your customers' experience.
Employers voluntarily conduct non-DOT drug testing, screening employees without regulation from the Department of Transportation (DOT). DOT drug testing is required for employees who operate certain types of transport, such as planes and buses, that fall under federal DOT regulations.
While employers aren't required to drug test employees for non-DOT regulated positions, many do voluntarily to maintain a drug-free workplace. Substance use not only affects the employee who uses drugs but often leads to problems with productivity, but can also cause issues with safety and affect interactions with customers.
Key Takeaways:
Here are the key things you need to know about non-DOT drug testing:
Non-DOT testing isn't regulated, so you decide when to do testing and with what method.
Non-DOT drug tests can be conducted preemployment, annually, or randomly.
Non-DOT test methods include urine, hair follicles, and saliva.
Employers can test for one substance or many.
A DOT test differs from non-DOT because many aspects of the testing, including type and method, are regulated.
Using a testing service makes non-DOT testing streamlined and convenient.