failed drug test, DAC, and future options
 

As the subject says, I had a random failed drug test a couple months ago, positive for pot. I thankfully quit smoking it before my trucking school which was 2 years ago and while I had my first job(which was just local driving in a straight truck with air breaks, I didnt feel ready for the OTR life at the time). However a couple months ago I had a weak minded moment and smoked a bowl during the weekend, a couple days later BAM, random test, great timing. My company of course took me off the road and I'm working in the warehouse for them now. I didn't go through the SAP return to work deal because by the sound of it I'm screwed for finding a good trucking job having done it or not, it sounds like a waste of money for false hope.

I know that by the sound of this some of you wouldnt want me behind the wheel of a big rig and I respect that opinion, but I truly am going to be responsible from now on, I don't even drink, I feel that I'm a safe and reliable driver and I could really fit into this industry if only I can get my foot in the door, so I'm looking into whether I would be hired by any company for thier training program as an entry level driver if I just don't tell them about the failed test. I don't think my company is a DAC reporting or using company because they're small, have only a few class A drivers like myself, and don't have any semis. If thats the case would a company that I apply to find out about my failed test? What if I don't list my current company as a past employer incase their records or my boss spills the beans about the drug test? The experience I got there I assume wouldnt be considered useful anyway as it was only a straight truck. Anyways I understand that many of you may not want to help me, but any feedback would be appreciated. I want to know if I'm barking up a wrong tree by still having this trucking goal or if I can probably get into it without missing a beat. Thanks.

Exactly.

Do a search on this website...you will find hundred's of posts regarding failed drug tests and options (or lack thereof) afterward. Doesn't matter if it was a DAC company or not...DOT regs state they have to release D&A information on all driving employees for last 3 years.

Additionally, omit that company on your app at your own peril...it is far too easy for any company to pull work records through any employment office...and many do. Get a job with a company and then they find out you lied on your app and you are pretty much through, period. Why? Because you'll get terminated for falsification of employment app, which will lead to the drug test issue, which will cause every company you apply for to permanently red flag your file in their system.

There is a reason that companies and other drivers get so down on failed drug tests. I don't say any of this to be harsh...just to be straight with you.

reefer madness
 

Sorry to tell you this, but that will show up on your record even though your co. is not a dac repoter. Drug testing results go directly to d.o.t..
I'm glad you quit smoking. Your lucky your not in prison. Imagine if some old man had a heart attack and veered into your lane and was killed, even though it was not your fault you still go to prison for manslauter, if you test pos. for dope. You still have a chance just be honest with them when you fill out an application dont lie whatever you do,you dont want to get yourself black balled. Thousands of truckers have been caught dirty, your not the first. Dont worry about it just keep trying. If your determined you'll suceed... :) Keep smilin...wwjd..see ya bro ..gl

Re: reefer madness
 

man.. kc I dont know where you've been getting your information from, but it sounds like you've been listening to the c.b. too much. Your trying to tell me that a d.o.t. random drug test does'nt go to d.o.t.? results are sent directly to d.o.t. if you dont believe me next time you take a p i s s test look at the elvelope and paperwork that goes with it. You'll see that the results are sent directly to d.o.t..

You never know when you'll get called in for a random...

I took my pre-employment test on Tuesday, results came in and I did my orientation ride-along on thursday/friday. On Monday I get assigned my truck and 1st load. When I walked into dispatch to get the truck keys, the HR lady handed me a paper for a random drug test.

6 days in between tests and I hadn't driven a mile (except for the road test).

Well aztrucker having been directly involved in a failed drug test (unable to urinate) I can say it is a FACT that D.O.T. does not have a record for any passed or failed test. I spend over 6 months trying to clear this false positive test. I talked directly to the M.R.O. involved, the Regional district office and to Washington. Both the Regional and Washington sent me (which I have copies of) said they do not have or retain any records.

Now as to what is reported to the D.O.T.

Each M.R.O. once a year submits a reports (see: http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/NEW_DOCS...ix/Appdx_H.pdf ) which totals the different categories of of test results.

Each laboratory semi-annually submits a report (see: http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/NEW_DOCS...ix/Appdx_B.pdf ) which again is a total number of test performed by the lab for that period.

Last look at http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/testingp...CE_HHS_ccf.pdf the official record required by D.O.T. to be used by the drug testing laboratory (the one you are referring too). The following copies are the only allowed copies by D.O.T.

Copy 1 - Laboratory
Copy 2 - Medical Review Officer
Copy 3 - Collector
Copy 4 - Employer
Copy 5 - Donor

The only exception to the copying rule is in the case of split specimen testing which must be done by photocopying Copy 1. In the case of the use of a second laboratory it may send a copy of their finding by photocopying Copy 1 to the MRO with their results.

As you see there is no copy sent to the D.O.T. only summary's of the above reports either annually (MRO) or semi-annually (laboratory).

Now look at http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/NEW_DOCS...rt_d/40_45.pdf . This rules shows what additional information may be added to this form. As you see this is the ONLY form allowed by the D.O.T. and I So aztrucker I've shown you where I get my information from. Now how about showing us where you are getting your information that requires all test results be reported to the D.O.T. Or is this one of those cb things you refer too?

kc0iv

Re: failed drug test, DAC, and future options
 

A Lot of people will Say "you want fries with that order" Meaning go work flipping burgers. Ok here is the way I see things
1 your employer did not fire you thats good
2. Go do the sap ok but do it for you.
3. your screwed for ten years at most places of work for driving. Thats how long it takes to get that off your DAC.
So stay were you are and stay clean from now till oh say your end of your life. Just learn from it and its not the end of the world just feels that way.

I dont known where you live.. but our company is looking for drivers a.s.a.p. We do not check dac and we dont care about your past. We are a testing comapany and all you do is drive 150 mile radius of Phoenix. No pickups or delivery. No hooking or unhooking. No backing up. (28 foot doubles) so you need a doubles endorsment. No log books. We work 11 hours a day 5days a week option on sat. $16.50 per hour time and a half after 40. You can start tommoro.....

sounds like a great company with safe drivers and well maintained equipment

very well maintained equipment been in business 35 yrs....no major accidents.. four of our trucks have hit deer and that's about it. We hire people on there ability to drive a truck. Were not hiring people to babysit our 11 yr. old daughter. We have a couple drivers who like to indulge on there time off. That's there business, as long as they dint come to work high..which they never do..actually they seem to be better drivers than our other other ones. They dint argue and are more team oriented..

So in my off time I can snort a little coke and shoot some Heroin, as long as I don't come to work high ? :shock:
You will be sued out of business the first mishap that involves a positive tested driver. :wink:

Wow. :shock:

I don't even know how to respond to something like that. And people wonder why the trucking industry is under a microscope 100% of the time.

Simply amazing.... :x

I hope none of those driver you employ who use drugs never gets into a serious accident. If they do, the DOT will go through their background with a fine tooth comb. If there are serious injuries, their attorney's will take you for everything you are worth. I don't understand why any carrier would risk everything for those who have such a disregard for public safety.

If you want to use dope, then go drive a dump truck 8)

I worked for a similiar company a number of years ago. They were a testing company under contract to International Navistar. My ten hour shifted consisted of driving from Primm, Nv. to Mesquite, back and forth, until my shift was up. We were testing a new exhaust brake design, there was a black box mounted on the passenger seat that recorded road speed and brake cycles. Anyway, One of the trucks was pulled over for a roadside inspection because it didn't have any identification ( company name, DOT#, etc.) I never got the full story, but the trooper apparently smelled pot in the cab. The driver was arrested and the truck was impounded. Turns out this company had no drug testing program, improper driver qualification files, and did'nt even HAVE a DOT#!.

Aztrucker, I would say that you are living on borrowed time.

Sounds a bit odd that a smell could lead to an arrest. Now, a smell can lead to probable cause, which then turns into a search, which turns up the Jamaican cigarrettes the driver may have had.

Not one of mine! Maybe an outlaw piece of junk.

Once you are a professional driver and your fail a test you know could come at anytime. Forget about it. What other rules are you going to bend ,break or ignore.

I can't afford the risk of my insurance going up just because I gave someone a second chance.

That is crazy. What they do on their own time as long as they don't come to work high? Sounds like a warehouse job. Look I'm no saint, but I decided 2 months before I started this job that I wasn't smoking anymore dope because I knew of the random testing. Not only that I used to drink all the time, at least a 6 pack a day. Taking this job has made me a more responsible father and husband, saved us a whole lot of money, and I enjoy my life more without the stuff. If you know that you are subject to testing answer me this, why fill out the app? It's not a slip. You didn't fall into the bowl. My friends still smoke dope, but I know what's at risk if I were to do it? My family means too much to me to take that gamble.[/quote]

It is getting harder and harder to get a job if you smoke. Back in 82 when I was signing up for the Service, there was another guy there also signing up. The recruiter asked him did he ever smoked a joint? He said Yes, 3 years ago. Just for answering yes 3 years ago, he was denied entry to the service. No test just from word of mouth. 95% of the jobs now randomly test. So it hard to work and do drugs, but people still do.

95% of jobs randomly test? Ummm, interesteing statistic (unless you are speaking of trucking companies.

Wrong!
 

Federal law does not allow D/A test to be reported more than three years on DAC or any other reporting agency. Check you Facts before posting