CDL urine test question.

[Slowpoke Slim]

Renewed my driver's license. Come to find out i am grandfathered in on the med card. So i kept my commercial license. Apparently I don't need the med card until I drive out of state? That was a surprise.

If you drive commercial in state, you will still need to have a MEC card on you while you are driving that commercial vehicle. The main difference is the state (WI in your case) isn't requiring you to have a copy of that MEC card on file in the state system (which is actually tied to the national system).

However, don't be tempted to stray out of state as a commercial driver in your case. Big fines. Big legal problems.

 

[jk96]

Random urine tests are driven by insurance companies, not your local state DMV/DOT. Usually it's the company that you drive for insurance company requiring it as part of their coverage for that company. So the employee's "company policy" drives the urine test requirement to satisfy their insurance company. This includes self employed drivers, your insurance company is the driving requirement for the urine tests.

This is not correct. It is mandated by federal DOT regs. We as a company are required to have a written drug and alcohol testing policy as well as have all drivers that meet the below requirements enrolled in a random testing program. Good link to info here

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/Drug%20and%20Alcohol%20Brochure%20for%20Drivers.pdf

All CDL drivers operating commercial motorvehicles (CMVs) (greater than 26,000 GVWR, ortransporting more than 16 passengers, includingthe driver, or placarded hazardous materials) on public roadways must be DOT drug and alcohol tested. This applies to any driver required topossess a CDL, including those employed byFederal, State, and local government agencies,“owner operators,” and equivalently licensed driversfrom foreign countries. Part-time drivers must also be included in an employer’s drug and alcoholtesting program. Drivers who only operate CMVson private property not open to the public do notrequire testing.

 

[ultrarunner]

Does this apply to AG within so many miles of the farm?

Brother has a gooseneck used for the farm… because the trailer is over 10k and not recreational it’s commercial but then there is a AG exemption within a radius of the farm.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

This is not correct. It is mandated by federal DOT regs. We as a company are required to have a written drug and alcohol testing policy as well as have all drivers that meet the below requirements enrolled in a random testing program. Good link to info here

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/Drug%20and%20Alcohol%20Brochure%20for%20Drivers.pdf

All CDL drivers operating commercial motorvehicles (CMVs) (greater than 26,000 GVWR, ortransporting more than 16 passengers, includingthe driver, or placarded hazardous materials) on public roadways must be DOT drug and alcohol tested. This applies to any driver required topossess a CDL, including those employed byFederal, State, and local government agencies,“owner operators,” and equivalently licensed driversfrom foreign countries. Part-time drivers must also be included in an employer’s drug and alcoholtesting program. Drivers who only operate CMVson private property not open to the public do notrequire testing.

You are correct.

I see a lot of independent drivers and farmers here that I personally know have NEVER had a "random" drug test.

Interesting.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Does this apply to AG within so many miles of the farm?

Brother has a gooseneck used for the farm… because the trailer is over 10k and not recreational it’s commercial but then there is a AG exemption within a radius of the farm.

AG exemption does not require a MEC card. But it is within 150 miles of the farm, and can only go out of state if that neighboring state has a reciprocity agreement with your home farm state. There are other limitations, no doubles/triples, etc. And I think the vehicle has to be registered with the home state as an "Ag" vehicle.

 

[ultrarunner]

AG exemption does not require a MEC card. But it is within 150 miles of the farm, and can only go out of state if that neighboring state has a reciprocity agreement with your home farm state. There are other limitations, no doubles/triples, etc. And I think the vehicle has to be registered with the home state as an "Ag" vehicle.

I knew there had to be some exemption because the ranchers and farmers never take urine tests but all are close to home…

 

[Jrasband]

Jello(collagen) will make you pass a urine test for THC if your concerned - worked for me several times when I was in high school and on probation

 

[jk96]

Does this apply to AG within so many miles of the farm?

Brother has a gooseneck used for the farm… because the trailer is over 10k and not recreational it’s commercial but then there is a AG exemption within a radius of the farm.

I honestly don't know what type of exemptions exist for ag. We are transporting pyrotechnics so we fall into a low explosive hazmat carrier. I've gone through 4 full DOT inspections of our business over the last 20 years. Driver, drug, training, transport, packaging and there is a lot of misinformation posted in forums in regards to DOT.

 

[ultrarunner]

Jello(collagen) will make you pass a urine test for THC if your concerned - worked for me several times when I was in high school and on probation

I don’t know any users… even recreational that are gainfully employed.

I do know a person that was random drug tested with his entire department and he failed… those double poppy seed bagels will do you in.

For about 10 years the hospital leased space to an occupational clinic and most of their business was drug testing and physicals…

 

[ultrarunner]

I honestly don't know what type of exemptions exist for ag. We are transporting pyrotechnics so we fall into a low explosive hazmat carrier. I've gone through 4 full DOT inspections of our business over the last 20 years. Driver, drug, training, transport, packaging and there is a lot of misinformation posted in forums in regards to DOT.

I had to be DOT trained/certified for medical waste because I sign the manifests…