Owner-operators must comply with the DOT and FMCSA drug testing requirements which are similar to larger companies.
This includes:
- Anyone who drives a commercial motor vehicle weighing 26,001 lbs. or more.
- Transports 16 passengers or more
- Transports Hazardous Materials requiring placarding
An owner-operator also needs to register with the FMCSA Clearinghouse which became a requirement in January 2020.
An owner-operator who operates under another motor carrier’s USDOT Number should register in the Clearinghouse as a driver whereas an owner-operator who operates under their own USDOT Number must register as an employer. You will also be able to add and verify your CDL information.
The following are the required DOT drug testing categories
- Pre-Employment: Before beginning safety-sensitive duties, a driver must pass a drug test. For owner-operators, the pre-employment drug test must occur after getting a United States DOT (USDOT) number and before driving a CMV.
- Random Testing: All commercial drivers must be part of a random testing pool. RI MA Drug Testing can serve as the C/TPA (a C/TPA combines numerous smaller companies into a pool of drivers) to manage the random selection.
- Post-Accident: If an accident results in a fatality and/or a vehicle is towed from the scene and/or an individual is taken to the hospital, post-accident drug testing is required.
- Reasonable Suspicion: This would be difficult in owner-operators since the actions that lead to reasonable suspicion need to be observed.
- Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up Testing: If a self-employed driver has a positive drug test result, they must complete the return-to-duty process.