CDL urine test question.

[QRTRHRS]

I went to the link that MossRoad posted but not seeing my answer, I sent DOT and email. Here is their reply.

"Thank you for your inquiry to the DOT Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance (ODAPC).

Before you begin employment as a CDL driver, any prospective employer is required to send you for a DOT pre-employment drug test, and to check on your drug and alcohol testing record from previous DOT-regulated employers. The urine test that was performed when you had your recent physical is separate from the required DOT pre-employment drug test.

Regarding questions about your DOT physical, please contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Office of Medical Programs at FMCSAMedical@dot.gov.

I hope that the information provided above is helpful. Please let me know if you have any additional questions."

Not exactly the answer to my question. I am going to ask my physical provider for their take.

I happened to bump into my neighbor who is in a similar situation. Not driving but he renewed his CDL. He simply does not worry about it.

 

[Hay Dude]

I’ve only been tested at the by annual physical. Random testing is news for me although I don’t work for a company.

Neither do I, but I’m in a consortium pool and randomly tested.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Avoid the hassle, and say bye to the every 2 years license renewal, phys, etc. unless you actually need it to drive for compensation.
Easy for me to say that; I drove a dump truck before CDL existed.

Similar story on my part. I was like 16 or 17, working construction. The boss told me to take that dump truck to the quarry for a load of stone.

Mid 70's, I was living in PA when they went to somewhat of a classified license. I got a renewal application that basically said if you want to drive a car enclose a check for X amount. For driving a truck put in this much.

78-80, I was hauling ceder fence posts out of Canada. As many of you know, winter comes early and stays late up that way. Running out of time on my VA education benefits, I went back to school for electronics.

Mid 80's when the CDL came out, I was working in high tech. I thought that I would never need to drive a truck again so I blew it off even though I would have been grandfathered in.

Come 2003, the plant closed knocking some 4000 plus out of work. At 50+ and with many with similar skills looking, I took the CDL course which was paid for. I got on running doubles. A couple of years and jobs later, I was meeting a Canadian about halfway to Toronto in Syracuse. When he was off for whatever reason, there I was running to Canada again, lol!

I serious doubt that I will need it but I do pull my 10k equipment trailer around mostly hauling hay home for my horses. Never know what the laws are going to change to.

Also, my wife's health is failing. Should she pass, I may just want to see the country on someone else's dime. Or even, (dread the thought ) drive a school bus again.

Not sure but I am going to get the Real ID which I think will be an eight year renewal. I can afford the physical so why not?

 

[JasperFrank]

Really, people are retested on a 6-pack Captains rating?

 

[Gator6x4]

I don’t have a CDL but I did have to take a test once when working on a wind farm. The lady didn’t watch me pee but they turned the water off in the rest room and took the temperature of the urine right away. I told her I didn’t study for the test, she didn’t laugh.

It seems like a bit of a dilemma when some states have legalized weed. How do you fail people when it’s legal?

Same way they charge you with driving after drinking. Liquor and beer sales are legal about every where in the US. Being legal to purchase does not mean that fact immunize you against an employer not hiring you when you show up stoned. Or the Police arresting you for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

 

[deserteagle71]

It seems like a bit of a dilemma when some states have legalized weed. How do you fail people when it’s legal?

Nevada is one of the states that legalized "recreational" use of marijuana a few years ago. The State then ran multiple ads telling people that just because it was "legal" and you couldn't be arrested for merely using it, that didn't mean that companies couldn't ban its use by their employees and fire any employees that didn't follow their rules. Same as with alcohol...it may be legal to use but if it is detected in your system while on the job, you are fired and escorted off the property.

 

[deserteagle71]

In Germany the union contract for BMW provides free beer at shift meal time... go figure?

Back in 1993 I escorted my parents on a tour through some Eastern European countries. We were at an airport waiting to get on a plane but none of the flight crew were to be found. The tour director knew exactly where to look for them...I was with her when she walked into the employee break room. There was our flight crew - sitting around a table with tall bottles of vodka in front of them. Tour director told them the break was over and the flight crew walked out to the airplane. Needless to say, I was quite apprehensive about flying the rest of that tour!

 

[hayden]

Really, people are retested on a 6-pack Captains rating?

Yes, any rating.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Nevada is one of the states that legalized "recreational" use of marijuana a few years ago. The State then ran multiple ads telling people that just because it was "legal" and you couldn't be arrested for merely using it, that didn't mean that companies couldn't ban its use by their employees and fire any employees that didn't follow their rules. Same as with alcohol...it may be legal to use but if it is detected in your system while on the job, you are fired and escorted off the property.

places in Canada kinda similar.

In B.C. for example opioids, cocaine, meth, exstasy, fentanyl, heroine, etc.. for personal use is A-OK except in schools / hospitals / prisons and a few other places can ban it. Can't use it in your cars and trucks either.

Most crime stats / accident etc... has gotten worse though.

Drugs A-OK.... over 2,200 brands / variations of semi-auto rifles banned though.

 

[RayIN]

Same way they charge you with driving after drinking. Liquor and beer sales are legal about every where in the US. Being legal to purchase does not mean that fact immunize you against an employer not hiring you when you show up stoned. Or the Police arresting you for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Indiana has a .04 alcohol test limit if you possess a CDL.
A cake made with Poppy seeds can push you over the limit for opiods.