If you are a commercial driver who has failed a drug test, your career isn’t over, but some important steps will be required before you can return to work. First, your employer will immediately remove you from any safety-sensitive duties, even if you’re in the middle of a load. You cannot resume driving until the Return-to-Duty (RTD) process is completed. Next, you must schedule an evaluation with a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) who is registered on the DOT SAP registry. The SAP will assess your situation and create a personalized treatment plan, which may involve education or rehabilitation programs, depending on their evaluation.
After completing the recommended program, you’ll need a follow-up evaluation with the SAP to determine if the treatment was effective. If successful, the SAP will send a report and order an RTD test. A negative result from this test will be reported to the Clearinghouse, removing your “prohibited” status and confirming your eligibility to return to work.
Lastly, you’ll need to comply with any required follow-up testing, which will be unannounced and supervised. Your employer is responsible for ensuring these tests are completed, and if you switch jobs, your new employer will take over this responsibility. Completing all steps and passing follow-up tests will allow you to resume your career.
source: https://teamcme.com/get-back-to-driving-after-a-failed-dot-drug-or-alcohol-test/
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