from PMAA
 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a waiver extending from 30 days to 90 days, the period under which drivers qualify for pre-employment testing exception under FMCSA regulations. This is good news for petroleum marketers and heating fuel dealers who furloughed drivers due to the COVID-19 emergency because it will reduce or eliminate altogether the number of pre-employment drug tests required for returning drivers.

Ordinarily, CDL drivers and other employees subject to FMCSA drug testing who have been removed from the random drug testing pool for more than 30 days due to furloughs, lay-offs or other periods of unemployment, must undergo pre-employment, controlled substance testing before returning to work. However, an exception under 49 CFR 382.301(b) allows an employer to forgo the pre-employment test if the driver:

The FMCSA waiver extends from 30 days to 90 days, the period under which drivers qualify for the pre-employment testing exception. In other words, the waiver allows employers to forego pre-employment testing for drivers who have participated in an approved controlled substances testing program within the previous 90 days of hire or rehire. The waiver begins on June 5, 2020 at midnight and ends at 11:59 pm September 30, 2020. 

The FMCSA said that allowing employers to forego pre-employment testing for drivers who participated in a controlled substance testing program within the previous 90 days will provide relief from the administrative and cost burdens associated with administering tests and return drivers to the workforce in a more rapid and efficient manner.

It is important to note that the waiver does not alter any of the remaining controlled substances and alcohol use and testing requirements for drivers or employer’s responsibility to submit driver-specific drug and alcohol violation information through the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

A copy of the FMCSA waiver can be downloaded here.