Drug Consortium Program

Motor carriers whose drivers are required to have CDLs must have a drug and alcohol testing program.

Motor carriers operating vehicles requiring a CDL must test drivers for illegal substances and alcohol levels at various points of employment:

• Before they are hired (pre-employment screening)
• After an accident
• When there is reasonable suspicion
• At return to duty after a controlled substances or alcohol violation
• Through a random testing process either by implementing a random program or joining a consortium. Motor carriers with one driver must join a consortium.

Employers are required to keep detailed records of their alcohol misuse prevention programs and store them in a secured location for the amount of time defined in FMCSR Section 382.401, Records Retention. Motor carriers may self-administer their programs (if they are not owner-operators) or contract it out, such as to a consortium that provides drug-testing services to many carriers. Owner-operators cannot self-administer their programs, and must enroll in a consortium.