Introduction
The Department of Transportation (DOT) employs a Return to Duty Process is a program that was created to help individuals who have been suspended from driving duties due to alcohol-related offenses. The process includes an evaluation, education and treatment, a return to duty test, and follow-up testing and monitoring. The DOT Return to Duty Process has been in place since 1991 and has had numerous changes and updates throughout the years to ensure that drivers receive the best care and support.
History
In 1991, the Department of Transportation (DOT) issued the first Return to Duty regulations, known as Part 40. The regulations were created to address the growing concern of alcohol and drug-related incidents that were occurring among drivers who were operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The regulations included requirements for employers to implement drug and alcohol testing programs, and they also provided guidance on the Return to Duty process for drivers who had been suspended from driving duties due to alcohol-related offenses.
The Return to Duty process requires drivers who have been suspended from driving duties due to alcohol-related offenses to complete an evaluation, education and treatment, pass a return to duty test, and submit to follow-up testing and monitoring. The evaluation is meticulous and is conducted by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) who is certified by the DOT and is responsible for determining if the driver is medically and psychologically fit to return to driving duties. The SAP will also determine the type and length of education and treatment that is required for the driver to return to duty.
The Return to Duty test is a breathalyzer test that is administered by a DOT-certified testing site. The test measures the blood alcohol content (BAC) of the driver and must be below 0.02 in order for the driver to return to duty. In addition to the Return to Duty test, the driver must also agree to follow-up testing and monitoring for a period of time as determined by the SAP and the employer.
The Return to Duty process has seen numerous changes and updates since its inception in 1991. In 2000, the DOT issued revised regulations that included additional requirements for employers to make sure that the chosen drug and alcohol testing programs are compliant with DOT regulations. The regulations also included revised Return to Duty requirements, including new requirements for the type and length of education and treatment that must be completed by the driver before returning to duty.
In 2013, the DOT issued new regulations that further strengthened drug and alcohol testing requirements for employers and provided additional guidance on the Return to Duty process. The regulations included revised Return to Duty requirements, including a minimum of six months of education and treatment, a return to duty test with a BAC of 0.02 or less, and follow-up testing and monitoring for at least one year.
Conclusion
The Department of Transportation (DOT) Return to Duty Process was created in 1991 and has since undergone numerous changes and updates to ensure that drivers receive the best care and support when returning to driving duties after an alcohol-related offense. The process includes an evaluation, education and treatment, a return to duty test, and follow-up testing and monitoring. The DOT Return to Duty Process is an integral portion of the process of keeping our roads safe and ensuring that drivers are fit to return to their driving duties.
Visit www.sapevaluation.org to learn more about the process of getting back on the road or if you’d like to speak with someone you can also try giving us a call a 1-800-683-7745