Hazmat Drug Testing

[WItruckdriver]

Hello,
I have a class A CDL and used to drive OTR. I now pull a 32' wells cargo trailer. My company want me to get a hazmat so I can haul Oxidizers.

Does the state randomly drug test a hazmat driver or does the company? I've always wondered what an Owner operator does with a hazmat as far as testing goes. I'm not sure if my company will want to pay for many tests if it is mandatory.


Thanks for any input.

[MILdriver]

Originally Posted by WItruckdriver

Hello,
I have a class A CDL and used to drive OTR. I now pull a 32' wells cargo trailer. My company want me to get a hazmat so I can haul Oxidizers.

Does the state randomly drug test a hazmat driver or does the company? I've always wondered what an Owner operator does with a hazmat as far as testing goes. I'm not sure if my company will want to pay for many tests if it is mandatory.


Thanks for any input.

As far as I know, it would be the company that orders the random drug screen. I've had my Haz Mat for 8 years and have never had the state order a drug screen. Hope this helps. The state would only order a drug / blood test in the case of an accident with injuries or death.

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by WItruckdriver

Hello,
I have a class A CDL and used to drive OTR. I now pull a 32' wells cargo trailer. My company want me to get a hazmat so I can haul Oxidizers.

Does the state randomly drug test a hazmat driver or does the company? I've always wondered what an Owner operator does with a hazmat as far as testing goes. I'm not sure if my company will want to pay for many tests if it is mandatory.


Thanks for any input.

since your company WANTS you to get your hazmat endorsement, you do know (don't you?) that you will need to go through the finger print and background checks from the FBI.....??? now, if you DID know that, and your company WANTS yo to have the hazmat, then i would ask them if THEY PAY FOR ALL OF IT......

if they DO NOT PAY, then you have some thinking to do. if you pay, save all your recipts for money spent. YOU CAN use this as a tax deduction at years end for a business/work related expense.

if THEY PAY, you lose out on that deduction.

here is the link you need for your finger print/FBI checks

http://www.hazprints.com/

since you already have your license, you are under NO time restrictions. that is to say, for instance, if you were going to renew your driver's license in 2-3 weeks from now, well it takes 2-3 weeks for the results to come in, and you might go beyond your license expiration date. but you're good to go, you already have your license. when you get cleared from the FBI, you get something in the mail, a letter i believe, you take that to the DMV, take the hazmat test, and off you go, new license (endoresment) for hazmats.

the background/finger printing can be around $100 in some states.

and yes by the way, the above poster is correct. your company calls on you for random drug screens.

[RedRollingRoadblock]

Originally Posted by WItruckdriver

Hello,
I have a class A CDL and used to drive OTR. I now pull a 32' wells cargo trailer. My company want me to get a hazmat so I can haul Oxidizers.

Does the state randomly drug test a HazMat driver or does the company?

There is no requirement that a HazMat driver be drug screened. Are you thinking of the background security checks from Thousands Standing Around or the Homeland (In)security Department? (Or whatever alphabet soup department does them.) However if and are over 26,001 pounds solo you would need a Class B or/and pull a trailer over 10,000 pounds then you would need the Class A (which you say you have.) See 383.91 Then your company would be required to do drug screening and randoms for all CDL drivers.

I think I am correct in saying that if your are under the weight requirements for a CDL, in order to haul HazMat you need an endorsement to do so. I can't find the section that deals with that now.

Originally Posted by WItruckdriver

I've always wondered what an Owner operator does with a HazMat as far as testing goes. I'm not sure if my company will want to pay for many tests if it is mandatory.
Thanks for any input.

If you are the only driver or the only one that holds a CDL then it would probably be easiest for your company to join a consortium (OOIDA being one. OOIDA Benefits and Programs) for your randoms. See Part 382: Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing for some information.

Your company also would need special insurance coverage for the HazMat. Registering as a HazMat carrier and a host of other information for the fed as well as certificates from the state(s) that you will operate in. This might help Part 382: Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing Your state DOT might also have some useful information. J.J. Keller Safety And Regulatory Compliance, DOT And OSHA Workplace Safety Regulations - J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. also has a wealth of information (for a price) and probably has all the forms that your company needs to get started on the whole thing. You can bet they are the final word on the government requirements.

[RedRollingRoadblock]

Originally Posted by RedRollingRoadblock

I think I am correct in saying that if your are under the weight requirements for a CDL, in order to haul HazMat you need an endorsement to do so. I can't find the section that deals with that now.

Well I was wrong. See Interpretation for 383.93 question number 7. But then question 4(b) seems to conterdict...

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by RedRollingRoadblock

Well I was wrong. See Interpretation for 383.93 question number 7. But then question 4(b) seems to conterdict...

yeah it does seem to contradict itself, doesn't it...??

you know what, for the extra money/time/effort, i'd get the hazmat endorsement JUST TO BE on the safe side.........there's NO telling when things WILL CHANGE, and we all know, things change, and it might cost MORE money later..........plus, one never knows when one might be driver a class A truck in the future........