CDL urine test question.

[QRTRHRS]

I decided to keep my CDL even though I am not driving any big rig anymore. I had been skipping the medical exam for a few years. I passed my physical which included the urine test of course. Going forward, what about random urine tests? In the past, my employers used a computer program to generate random employee lists to get tested. For anyone the same situation or perhaps self employed, what do you do to meet this requirement? I did not think to ask my provider.

Something else that I learned about how often I must get an exam. After I retired, I drove a school bus for a few years. At that time, the "S" endorsement holders had to be examined yearly. July 1, 2023, that had changed to every two years. However, because I take certain medications I must still get examined every year.

 

[Alan W.]

Sent you a private message.

 

[mikester]

Drink more coffee

 

[hayden]

This is a bit of a tangent, but I'm curious whether the CDL requirements are strictly State requirements, or if there are federal DOT requirements that are part of it? This has become an issue boats and ships, and I'm wondering if it's an issue with CDLs as well.

I don't have a CDL, but I do have a US Coast Guard (and International) marine captains license. Much like for a CDL, I'm subject to periodic medical exams and drug testing. I don't smoke pot, but with it legal now in many states, some people do. But the USCG license is federal where pot is still illegal. And unlike booze, pot remains detectable by drug testing for a long time. The result is all sorts of people getting denied their USCG license.

So does this apply to a CDL as well? Are you subject to state or federal drug testing? I'm guessing it's federal since it's all about interstate trucking, but I don't know.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

When I took my CDL physical a 15 years ago the urine test for the physical was not drug related, I think it had to do with testing blood sugar levels. I know this because a friend of mine was the doctor that gave and signed off on these physicals.

 

[LittleBill21]

what exactly is the question here?? how to beat the drug test?

 

[Hay Dude]

what exactly is the question here?? how to beat the drug test?

Yeah, exactly….what is the question?
I am randomly tested. Sometimes it’s 1X per year, other years it’s been 4x per year.
Mine is done by a “lottery”.

I’ve never done drugs, and barely drink, so no worries here.

 

[Cycledude]

I believe the urine test is mostly for illegal drugs, that’s why it’s random which makes it more difficult to prepare for.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I am renewing my license and even though I am not driving professionally, I am keeping my CDL.

Going forward, I am wondering about continuing the routine urine tests if not provided/required by an employer? I was briefly looking at the regs but did not see the info that I want.

I did not think to ask my physical provider. If they forward that info to DOT or what?

And no. I am not trying to beat the tests.

Re: legal pot, etc. use. When I was still driving the school bus, our director told is not to use any CBD products. I did not so I did not persue the subject.

hayden, CDL requirments are federal. I have also worked in aerospace manufacturing where we were subject to random and annual testing.

 

[QRTRHRS]

They do look at blood sugar and blood in the urine. Some have learned that they have issues that they were not aware of.

One company that I worked for also did dna testing on hair samples. If I recall correctly, that test would look back 90 days supposedly.