




DOT Reasonable Suspicion Supervisor Training – Drugs
Transportation employees of DOT-regulated employers who perform tasks that have been defined as “safety-sensitive” are subject to drug and alcohol testing. This includes “reasonable suspicion” testing, which is required when a properly trained supervisor suspects that an employee is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs based on the employee’s appearance, behavior, speech, or smell. Supervisors and company officials who may need to make a “reasonable suspicion” test determination are required to complete at least 1 hour of training on the signs and symptoms of DOT-prohibited drug use. This course describes the five DOT-regulated drug classes, including their signs and symptoms of use, the types of observations that can be used for reasonable suspicion drug test determinations, and what happens during a reasonable suspicion interview, specimen collection, and drug testing.
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Learning Objectives
Describe the five DOT-regulated drug classes, including their signs and symptoms of use Decide what types of observations can be used for reasonable suspicion drug test determinations Decide what types of observations cannot be used for reasonable suspicion test determinations but do warrant increased observation Describe what happens during a reasonable suspicion interview, specimen collection, and drug testing Describe the consequences of positive, negative, adulterated, and substituted drug test results
Specs
Course Level | Intermediate |
Languages | English |
Compatibility | Audio, Video |
Based on: | 49 CFR Part 40 |
Key Questions
What if I accuse an employee of using illegal drugs and I’m wrong?
A reasonable suspicion test referral is not an accusation of drug use; it is merely a way to rule out one possible cause for employee actions or behaviors that are concerning.
If a supervisor notices signs or symptoms of illegal drug use, does he/she need to specify the drug they suspect the employee of using?
No. Supervisors can make reasonable suspicion test determinations based on any sign or symptom of illegal drug use, without specifying the drug or drug class.
Which drugs are prohibited by the DOT?
DOT drug testing regulations exist for five classes of illegal drugs – marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates (or opioids), and PCP (phencyclidine).
What if an employee has been prescribed a drug from a DOT-prohibited drug class?
The U.S. DOT allows employees who have been prescribed drugs from the prohibited drug classes to continue performing safety-sensitive duties if their physician has declared that it will not impair their performance of these duties.
What if an employee’s signs or symptoms could be caused by illegal drug use or alcohol misuse?
If the observed signs or symptoms could be associated with either one, reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol tests should both be conducted.
Sample Video Transcript
DOT drug testing regulations exist for five classes of illegal drugs: • Marijuana, or Cannabis • Cocaine • Amphetamines • Opiates, or opioids • Phencyclidine, or PCP These drugs have different physical and behavioral signs and symptoms, so they are discussed separately in this module. However, supervisors can make reasonable suspicion test determinations based on any sign or symptom of illegal drug use, without specifying the drug or even the drug class. So you don’t need to worry about keeping track of which signs and symptoms are associated with each drug. It is more important to be alert to changes in employee behaviors, actions, and appearances.
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