Drug & Alcohol Regulations
Since 1995, the U.S. federal government has required drug and alcohol testing for “safety-sensitive” employees in the mass transit, over-the-road bus and school bus industries.
The ATU is committed to educating our members about these requirements and their rights under the current drug and alcohol testing regulations, as well as fighting for those rights in the workplace and ensuring that any regulatory changes take into consideration the privacy and collective bargaining rights of our members.
Drug and Alcohol Testing in Canada
ATU members operating over-the-road and transit vehicles in Canada are increasingly being subjected to random drug and alcohol testing. The ATU Canadian Council is taking action!
» Read MoreDepartment of Transportation
Drug & Alcohol Testing Regulations
Which Employees are Covered?
Job applicants, employees, volunteers, transferees, and supervisors who perform “safety-sensitive functions,” including bus drivers, mechanics, fuelers, other maintenance personnel, dispatchers, transit police officers and other security officers carrying firearms, wrecker operators, drivers of certain trucks, and supervisors performing safety-sensitive functions.
When are Employees Tested?
The federal regulations require drug and alcohol testing in six situations:- Pre-employment
- Reasonable suspicion
- Post-accident
- Random
- Return to Duty
- Follow-up
For more information:
- ATU’s Safety First Brochure
- ATU Summary of U.S. DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations
- DOT Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs
- For Transit Employees:
Federal Transit Administration Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations
- For Over-the-Road Bus and School Bus Employees:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations
- For Intercity and Commuter Rail Employees:
Federal Railroad Administration Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations
Drug and Alcohol Testing News:
- House Committee Examines Problems with DOT Drug Testing Program - November 5, 2007
- *VICTORY! FTA Lowers Random Drug Testing Rate for 2007 - January 9, 2007
- FTA Rejects ATU Petition for Lower Drug Testing Rate – April 24, 2006
- ATU Petitions FTA to Lower Random Drug Testing Rate - February 24, 2006
- ATU Comments on DOT Proposal for Mandatory Validity Testing – December 20, 2005
- DOT Proposes Mandatory Validity Testing on Drug Test Samples - November 7, 2005
- FTA Drug and Alcohol Testing Newsletter