The DOT Substance Abuse Process
Tuesday, 05 April 2011 13:17

In 1991, Congress passed the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act. This act mandated that people who work in safety-sensitive positions in the transportation industry - such as pilots, truck drivers, bus drivers, etc. - are subject to drug testing and alcohol testing, and requires DOT agencies to perform such testing.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires companies employing individuals performing safety sensitive jobs to conduct the following types of drug and alcohol tests:
  • Pre-Employment
  • Random
  • Post Accident
  • Reasonable Suspicion
  • Return to Duty
  • Follow-up
If you are a person who works in a safety-sensitive job, and you fail (or refuse) a test, your employer is required to immediately remove you from safety-sensitive positions until you have:
  • Undergone an evaluation by a DOT licensed Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)
  • Successfully completed any course, counseling or treatment prescribed by the SAP
  • Undergone a follow-up evaluation by the same SAP to determine if you have complied with their recommendations
  • Provided a breath or urine specimen which tests negative for drugs or alcohol
Benefits of DOT/SAP Process:

Employers who refer employees with a DOT violation for SAP Services remain in DOT compliance.

All SAP reporting will satisfy DOT requirements.

Support and consultation will be provided regarding any and all SAP reports or DOT auditing.

Under CFR 49 Part 40, an individual testing positive MUST be referred to a Qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)

Heather Allen Thompson will conduct a face-to-face clinical assessment, monitor the case, and will conduct a compliance interview, as well as provide a follow-up testing schedule.
  • Face-to-face clinical drug and alcohol assessment
  • Case-management & monitoring
  • Follow-up testing schedule
  • Compliance interview
  • All reports meet Department of Transportation requirements


Substance Abuse Professionals of Texas           Heather Allen Thompson (210) 846-1819