IPSDTS Tips

DOT Testing FAQ

How Does IPS Manage DOT Random Drug and Alcohol Program?

IPS manages DOT random drug and alcohol program by pulling driver names following a systematic process.  Here is some useful information: IPS pulls randoms 4 times a year (every quarter). The random selections are done quarterly to distribute the burden … Continue reading

What is a C/TPA or Consortium?

What is a C/TPA? The term C/TPA stands for Consortium/Third Party Administrator. This is a private business that helps DOT-regulated companies comply with DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations and the FMCSA Clearinghouse. You may have TPA or C/TPA for your … Continue reading

Do I Need to Enroll in a Drug and Alcohol Testing Program?

To pass a FMCSA Audit and for DOT Compliance, you need to Enroll in a Drug Testing Program. So, the answer to whether a trucking company needs to Enroll in a Drug Testing Program is a profound YES!!   You are … Continue reading

What are DOT Queries and When Do I Run Them?

Queries are used to get background information on a driver’s drug violation record from the Clearinghouse.  There are Two types of queries:  Limited and Full. Limited queries check if a driver can be found in the Clearinghouse.  It also describes … Continue reading

When is Alcohol Test considered Positive or a Violation?

You sent a driver for an Alcohol Test.  His result comes back with more than 0.0 but less than .04.  What should I do? The conventional wishdom for Alcohol Test level is “if it is less than .04”, it is … Continue reading

Sometimes, I get two invoices for one DOT Drug Testing. Why?

Sometimes it appears that a company gets two invoices and pay twice for one drug test.  This is becuase DOT Drug Testing has two parts: Collection: DOT Drug Testing starts with collection of urine by the clinic who sends the … Continue reading

Why is my DOT Drug test result late?

Completion of a DOT drug test requires the following steps: Driver shows up at the clinic when a Chain of Custody is signed by the driver Sample is taken from the driver and mailed to the lab Lab completes drug … Continue reading

Hiring Drivers with Past Violation

If you are about to hire a driver who has a violation in the past, make sure to: Run a query to confirm the violation Get a copy of the SAP plan Do a Return to Duty Test and upload … Continue reading

Conducting DOT Queries

The following is for safety managers and HR professionals who are looking for more information on conducting  DOT  Queries using the Clearinghouse portal.   As you all know, Clearinghouse is now a reality and it is being used by transportation companies … Continue reading

The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is a secure online database that provides information about commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders’ drug and alcohol program violations. The Clearinghouse helps to keep roads safer by: Identifying prohibited … Continue reading

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