FMCSA Reduces Random Required Drug Test Rates in 2016

Effective Jan. 1, 2016, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reduced the rate for random controlled substances testing to 25 percent of the average number of driver positions from 50 percent. The agency maintained the minimum annual percentage rate for random alcohol testing at 10 percent.
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Effective Jan. 1, 2016, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reduced the rate for random controlled substances testing to 25 percent of the average number of driver positions from 50 percent. The agency maintained the minimum annual percentage rate for random alcohol testing at 10 percent.

FMCSA estimates the change will save the motor carrier industry an estimated $50 million annually by requiring that fewer drivers be tested. 

Federal regulations allow the FMCSA Administrator to decrease the minimum annual random testing percentage rate based on the reported positive random test rate for the entire motor carrier industry.

Based on the controlled substances random test data in FMCSA's Management Information System (MIS) for calendar years 2011, 2012, and 2013, the positive rate for controlled substances random testing fell below the 1 percent threshold for 3 consecutive calendar years.

If the rate rises above 1 percent for any calendar year, FMCSA will increase the minimum percentage of random tests back to 50 percent of all driver positions.

Click here to read FMCSA's notice of program change. 

 

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