FMCSA Doubles Random Drug Test Rate for Truck Drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is increasing the random drug testing rate for 2020. The new minimum random controlled substances testing rate for commercial driver’s license holders is 50% starting on Jan. 1. This is double the 25% rate, which has been in effect for the past three years.
According to a Dec. 26 Notice of Program Change published in the Federal Register, the decision to raise the DOT random testing rate for CMV drivers is based on the results of the 2018 FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Testing Survey. Per agency policy, if the random positivity rate is equal to or greater than 1.0% for any given year, the rate will be doubled for the next calendar year. The random positivity rate in 2018 was 1.0%.
Because more drivers will need to be tested, the FMCSA estimates that this change will cost the trucking industry an estimated increase of $50-70 million in 2020. The random alcohol testing rate will remain unchanged at 10%.