Attention All Drivers:

Important changes to DOT drug testing regulations;

The Department of Transportation has published a final notice regarding changes to the controlled-substance testing program. Effective Jan. 1, 2018, commercial motor vehicle drivers will be tested for semi-synthetic opioids—such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, and oxymorphone—that are at the center of a nationwide prescription drug-abuse epidemic. Common names for these semi-synthetic include OxyContin®, Percodan®, Percocet®, Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®, Dilaudid®, Exalgo®.

If the drug test is positive, a medical review officer (MRO) will determine if the driver had a valid medical reason and prescription for the medication yielding such a result. If the positive result is affirmed, the MRO will notify the employer. The driver will be removed from any safety-sensitive function—including driving. To learn more, review details from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at the links provided below.

Please remember that Outwest Express has a Zero Tolerance policy and therefore a positive test result constitutes disqualification from our fleet.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-medications-disqualify-cmv-driver

https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/Part_40_DOT_Employee_Notice_2017