§ 382.301 Pre-employment testing.

(a) Prior to the first time a driver performs safety-sensitive functions for an employer, the driver shall undergo testing for alcohol and controlled substances as a condition prior to being used, unless the employer uses the exception in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section. No employer shall allow a driver, who the employer intends to hire or use, to perform safety-sensitive functions unless the driver has been administered an alcohol test with a result indicating an alcohol concentration less than 0.04, and has received a controlled substances test result from the MRO indicating a verified negative test result. If a pre-employment alcohol test result under this section indicates an alcohol content of 0.02 or greater but less than 0.04, the provision of § 382.505 shall apply.

(b) Exception for pre-employment alcohol testing. An employer is not required to administer an alcohol test required by paragraph (a) of this section if:

(1) The driver has undergone an alcohol test required by this section or the alcohol misuse rule of another DOT agency under part 40 of this title within the previous six months, with a result indicating an alcohol concentration less than 0.04; and

(2) The employer ensures that no prior employer of the driver of whom the employer has knowledge has records of a violation of this part or the alcohol misuse rule of another DOT agency within the previous six months.

(c) Exception for pre-employment controlled substances testing. An employer is not required to administer a controlled substances test required by paragraph (a) of this section if:

(1) The driver has participated in a controlled substances testing program that meets the requirements of this part within the previous 30 days; and

(2) While participating in that program, either

(i) Was tested for controlled substances within the past 6 months (from the date of application with the employer) or

(ii) Participated in the random controlled substances testing program for the previous 12 months (from the date of application with the employer); and

(3) The employer ensures that no prior employer of the driver of whom the employer has knowledge has records of a violation of this part or the controlled substances use rule of another DOT agency within the previous six months.

(d)(1) An employer who exercises the exception in either paragraph (b) or (c) of this section shall contact the alcohol and/or controlled substances testing program(s) in which the driver participates or participated and shall obtain and retain from the testing program(s) the following information:

(i) Name(s) and address(es) of the program(s).

(ii) Verification that the driver participates or participated in the program(s).

(iii) Verification that the program(s) conforms to part 40 of this title.

(iv) Verification that the driver is qualified under the rules of this part, including that the driver has not refused to be tested for controlled substances.

(v) The date the driver was last tested for alcohol or controlled substances.

(vi) The results of any tests taken within the previous six months and any other violations of subpart B of this part.

(2) An employer who uses, but does not employ, a driver more than once a year to operate commercial motor vehicles must obtain the information in paragraph (d)(1) of this section at least once every six months. The records prepared under this paragraph shall be maintained in accordance with § 382.401. If the employer cannot verify that the driver is participating in a controlled substances testing program in accordance with this part and part 40, the employer shall conduct a pre-employment alcohol and/or controlled substances test.

(e) Nothwithstanding any other provisions of this subpart, all provisions and requirements in this section pertaining to pre-employment testing for alcohol are vacated as of May 1, 1995.