DOT Random Drug Test

Definition

A DOT random drug test is the unannounced controlled-substance or alcohol test selected from a carrier's random-testing pool under 49 CFR §382.305. FMCSA sets the annual minimum random-testing rate each year (currently 50% for controlled substances and 10% for alcohol of average driver pool size). Selections must be statistically random, drawn evenly across the calendar year. Owner-operators who are simultaneously employer and driver cannot self-administer; they must enroll in a third-party Consortium / Third-Party Administrator (C/TPA). A driver selected for random testing must report to the collection site immediately - non-compliance is treated as a refusal to test, which is a Clearinghouse-reportable violation.