What to Do When Your Employee Is Involved In an Accident

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires certain employers to conductmandatorydrug and alcohol testing after an employee is involved in an accident.

Who This Applies To:

This applies to the six agencies that fall under the DOT safety-sensitive umbrella

  • FMCSA
  • FAA​
  • FTA
  • USCG
  • FRA
  • PHMSA
  • Federal, State, & Local governments
  • Private & For-hire Motor carriers
  • Churches
  • Other civic entities

In order to remain DOT compliant—and avoid having your business operations temporarily or permanently shut down—you must complete DOT certified post-accident drug & alcohol testing.

When is Post-Accident DOT Testing Required?

Post-accident drug and alcohol screening is necessary whenever a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) carrying employee is involved in an accident that meets certain conditions.

These conditions include:

  • One or more vehicle involved cannot leave the scene
  • The accident resulted in the need for medical treatment of anyone involved
  • The driver received a moving violation citation as a result of the accident
  • The accident resulted in a fatality

Any of the above conditions will automatically necessitate post-accident DOT drug & alcohol testing in order for the employer of the CDL driver to remain DOT compliant.Drug testing must occurwithin 32 hours afterthe incident, while alcohol testing must be carried outwithin 8 hours.