DOT drug tests can be stressful, as these tests are taken very seriously, and they are often an important part of employment for an agency under the Department of Transportation. It’s essential to understand how far back a DOT drug test goes in addition to facts about the DOT drug test. Our article gives you more details on DOT drug tests and their impact.
What Is a DOT Drug Test?
A DOT drug test is a drug test given to any company or employer that is overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This can include federal and state-level agencies and entities, and these tests are given to ensure the utmost safety is ensured for both employees and the general public. Many positions in agencies and organizations overseen by the DOT are highly sensitive and security-related, meaning high levels of care and attention to the job are necessary.
The DOT drug test is a five-panel test that typically tests for marijuana, amphetamines, PCP, opiates, and cocaine.
When Are DOT Drug Tests Given?
DOT drug tests are generally given as part of the pre-hiring screening process, but they might also be given on a routine basis or randomly. Your employer will have specific drug testing policies, and they will advise you of these policies before you are hired. In many cases, your offer of employment at a company regulated by the DOT is contingent on passing this pre-hiring drug test and passing any routine drug testing administered by your employer.
How Far Back Does a DOT Drug Test Go?
The majority of DOT drug testing is urine testing, and urine testing can detect certain drugs for up to a specific length of time. In general, DOT drug testing can find evidence of substance abuse back as far as three months, depending on the drug.
How quickly a drug exits the body determines how long it will be visible on a drug test. Testing lengths for the primary drugs that the DOT drug test looks at include:
- Marijuana – visible for up to a week after stopping use, sometimes up to three months if usage is heavy
- Cocaine – visible for between one and three days after stopping use
- Amphetamines – visible for between two and four days after stopping use
- Opiates – visible for between four days and a week after stopping use
- PCP – visible for up to five days after stopping use, potentially up to several weeks if usage is heavy
Will a DOT Drug Test Appear On My Record?
A DOT drug test will not appear on your official record or background check report, though if you lose your job due to complications with a DOT background check, your employment record will be visible on your background check report. If you have concerns about what might be visible on a background check report, you can run one on yourself and review this so you are prepared to answer any questions a new potential employer might have.
Who Can See My DOT Drug Test Results?
The only people who can see your DOT drug test results include your employer, the individual administering and submitting your drug test results to your employer, and you. The exact results of your drug test are not public record, and they are not visible, but if you do fail a DOT drug test, your employer may not have this on your file, and it may come up if a new employer asks your previous employer for a reference.
What Happens If I Fail a DOT Drug Test?
What happens if you fail a DOT drug test depends on whether the test was for a pre-hiring screening or if you were actively employed when you failed the DOT drug test. For pre-hiring DOT drug tests, an employer may rescind a job offer and simply not choose to hire you. If you are already employed, you may be put on probation or lose your job, depending on your employer’s policies. In both situations, you may be asked or able to request another drug test.
Meeting Your Employer’s Standards
DOT drug tests are an essential drug test that is given to any employee of a company regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation or the federal and national agencies that operate under this department. Passing a DOT drug test is often vital to the hiring process, and you will need to meet your employer’s standards and pass routine DOT drug tests in many cases.
If you have any concerns about a DOT drug test, including how far back these tests might go, you should speak to your potential employer to learn more about specific drug testing policies that might apply. A free people finder lookup might also give you the background information you might need before making crucial next steps.