Drug testing consortiums are often random testing pools made up of multiple employers. Each employer-member of the consortium adds its employees to the pool. A random selection of drugs and alcohol is made from all members of the pool. Owner-operators regulated by any Department of Transportation (DOT) agency must be in the consortium's random testing pool.
An independent random pool is just an employer. This usually applies to large companies with more than 20 employees.
There is no minimum or maximum number of independent or shared random test pools. The only requirement is that the owner operator must be in a federation pool.
goMDnow manages independent pools and consortiums for DOT regulated and non-DOT regulated employers. Typically, our random testing customers are regulated by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Order our DOT Compliant Random Testing Program today.
What are DOT FMCSA Drug Testing Programs – Consortium and Random Testing Programs?
Many truck and bus companies are required to maintain drug and alcohol testing programs, including random drug testing. For owner-operators and smaller companies, a joint random testing program is required. The consortium operates a Department of Transportation (DOT) random testing program for several employers, including those owner-operators who are not allowed to do random testing themselves.
Are you required to have a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) DOT drug testing program?
There is an easy way to find out. DOT has an interactive web page called "Am I Covered" that you can use to determine if you need a DOT drug and alcohol test. More simply, there are three categories of employers that are required to have a DOT FMCSA drug and alcohol testing program. First, if your CDL driver is driving a commercial vehicle (CMV) weighing 26,001 pounds or more on public roads. Second, do you drive a commercial vehicle of any size that contains hazardous materials that require decals on the vehicle? Third and last, do you drive a vehicle with 16 or more passengers (including the driver)? If you meet any of the three criteria above, you will be required to complete the DOT FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.
How Can You Get DOT Compliant for Drug Testing?
goMDnow offers the DOT FMCSA drug and alcohol testing program to small, medium, and large transportation and bus companies. Plans are available for owner-operators, private fleets, and charter carriers.
For smaller companies and owner-operators, the consortium program works best and can be set up within two business days. Immediately after set up, you will receive a certificate of registration confirming your eligibility for random drug testing. The drug and alcohol random selection is done quarterly and you will be notified of the random selection each quarter by email and/or telephone. Remember that this program is all about safety, so make sure you follow the rules to comply with DOT 49 CFR Part 40 and FMCSA 49 CFR Part 382.
goMDnow will help trucking companies with new entrance exams and FMCSA checks. Be sure to let us know immediately when you receive notification of a new entrance exam, security check, or full audit. We can then help you prepare for your audit.
Some of the items the FMCSA may need when visiting you include:
• Controlled substance test records, results, and summaries for the last 365 days.
• Check for pre-employment drug tests before drivers perform safety duties.
• Independent or collaborative verification of participation in randomized testing programs
• Documents used to distribute information materials for drivers.
• Reasonable suspicion determines the required documentation for training DOT supervisors.
• Confirm written DOT drug and alcohol testing policies.
The DOT Random Test Consortium Program for Owner Operators is easy to implement and affordable - less than $100/year. goMDnow has the most advanced system in the market with experienced staff. Employees are knowledgeable and quick to respond.
goMDnow offers DOT/Non-DOT Medical, Alcohol, and Drug Testing Keeping Drivers safe and Compliant Lowest Prices in Industry are $49/year For Unlimited Drivers Only pay for the Tests you Order from Random Testing Consortium. Take immediate action to ensure your organization is securely compliant and avoid fines of up to $10,000 per violation.
