A transportation worker who has violated DOT regulations must follow a specific procedure before being considered for return to a safety sensitive function.

The process conducted by a qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) includes:

• The SAP conducts an initial face-to-face clinical evaluation, including the use of an approved assessment tool. DOT’s rule requires a recommendation for treatment and/or education in every case. The SAP must send an initial evaluation report to the DER (Designated Employee Representative) of that employer.

• The SAP provides the employee with an approved treatment provider, and helps assist in arranging for those services.

• The SAP maintains regular contact with the treatment provider to monitor the employee’s treatment progress and their level of participation in the program.

• The SAP will conduct a face-to-face follow-up clinical evaluation, including the use of standardized testing, to determine if the employee has complied with the SAP’s recommendations, and to measure the success of treatment. If the employee is in compliance with the SAP’s recommendations, the SAP will send a follow-up report to the DER of the employer, including the SAP’s recommendations for a program of aftercare if necessary and the follow-up testing schedule.

For your convenience here are some useful links-
Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs- The Department of Transportation's (DOT) rule, 49 CFR Part 40, describes required procedures for conducting workplace drug and alcohol testing for the federally regulated transportation industry.