Every fourth quarter the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard publish their minimum drug and alcohol random testing rates for the upcoming year. All Federal employers must comply with these changes beginning on January 1st. The changes for 2019 are a bit more complex than some previous years because some agencies are increasing their rates while others have not. This is the first time in 12 years the Federal Transit Administration has increased their annual random drug testing rates. Make sure you and your employer are aware of any random testing rate changes that may effect you.
These changes include:
1. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has increased its annual random drug testing rate from 25% to 50%. Their alcohol testing rate will remain at 10% for 2019.
-The FTA is required to raise their drug testing rate if the reported positive rate is 1% or greater. The agency reported an increase to 1.06% reported drug testing positives in 2017.
2. The Coast Guard increased their random drug testing rate to 50%.
3. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) random testing rates will remain unchanged for 2019.
-FAA: is 25% for drug and 10% for alcohol testing
-PHMSA: 50% for drug testing
4. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will remain unchanged with random drug testing rates of 25% and a 10% rate for alcohol testing.
5. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has also stayed the same.
-Covered Service rates: 25% for drug testing and 10% for alcohol
-Maintenance of Way: 50% for drug testing and 25% for alcohol
Visit transportation.gov to see the DOT’s complete chart of 2019’s annual drug and alcohol testing rates.