Reasonable Suspicion Test
$65.00
Reasonable suspicion test coordination for CDL employers and drivers. CDL Inquiry helps arrange DOT drug and alcohol testing when trained company officials observe signs that require testing under FMCSA rules.
Reasonable suspicion test coordination for CDL employers and drivers. CDL Inquiry helps arrange DOT drug and alcohol testing when trained company officials observe signs that require testing under FMCSA rules.
A reasonable suspicion test helps CDL employers respond when a trained supervisor or company official observes signs that a driver may have violated DOT drug or alcohol rules. CDL Inquiry helps coordinate DOT reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing for CDL drivers, owner-operators, and motor carriers.
A reasonable suspicion test is a DOT drug or alcohol test ordered when an employer has a reasonable belief that a CDL driver may have violated drug or alcohol prohibitions. The decision should not be based on guessing, rumors, personality conflicts, or general assumptions. It should be based on specific observations made at the time.
Under FMCSA rules, reasonable suspicion may be based on observations related to a driver’s appearance, behavior, speech, or body odors. For controlled substances, observations may also include signs of chronic use or withdrawal effects. CDL Inquiry helps employers move quickly and arrange the correct testing process when a reasonable suspicion situation occurs.
A reasonable suspicion test should be supported by observable facts. The supervisor or company official should document what was seen, heard, or smelled, and why those observations created a reasonable belief that testing was required.
The reasonable suspicion decision should be made by a supervisor or company official who has received the required training. The person making the observations should be able to explain the specific facts that led to the testing decision.
For alcohol testing, the observations must be made during, just before, or just after the driver is performing safety-sensitive functions. The driver may only be directed to take a reasonable suspicion test while performing safety-sensitive functions, just before performing them, or just after stopping those functions.
When alcohol testing is required, timing is important. Employers should act promptly and keep written records when the alcohol test cannot be completed within the required time periods.
| Testing Issue | What Employers Should Know |
|---|---|
| Alcohol test delay | If the alcohol test is not completed within 2 hours after the reasonable suspicion determination, the employer should prepare and maintain a record explaining why the test was not promptly administered. |
| Alcohol test cutoff | If the alcohol test is not completed within 8 hours after the determination, the employer should stop attempts to administer the alcohol test and document the reason. |
| Written observation record | A written record of the observations must be signed by the supervisor or company official who made the observations within 24 hours of the observed behavior or before test results are released, whichever is earlier. |
Employers should treat reasonable suspicion situations carefully because the decision can affect safety, compliance, and the driver’s employment status. The goal is to protect public safety while following a documented process.
A reasonable suspicion test is a specific testing event. It is separate from DOT consortium enrollment and random testing. CDL Inquiry also offers DOT consortium enrollment for CDL drivers, owner-operators, and small fleets.
CDL Inquiry’s DOT consortium enrollment is $110 per driver per year and includes the pre-employment drug test, random drug testing, and random alcohol testing. Learn more here:
DOT consortium enrollment.
Employers should review the official federal rule for full requirements:
49 CFR 382.307 Reasonable Suspicion Testing
.
You can also review the
FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program
for additional federal drug and alcohol testing information.
CDL Inquiry can help coordinate DOT reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing for CDL drivers and employers.
Call 424-444-6615 or visit the
contact page
for help with the next step.