By the end of next year, truck drivers who test positive for drug use will remain in a "prohibited" status and will lose their commercial driving licenses.
On November 28, a statement was issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), stating that a driver with a violation of the drug and alcohol program is prohibited from performing safety-related functions, including operating commercial motor vehicles regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT), until the return-to-duty process is completed.
The FMCSA established that, as part of the new federal regulations, by November 18, 2024, drivers with a “prohibited” status in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse will lose or be denied their state-issued commercial driving licenses.
To maintain a “not prohibited” status, the employer must implement the follow-up testing plan specified by the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), which must include a minimum of six unannounced follow-up tests during the first 12 months after returning to perform safety-related functions, as stated by the FMCSA. In the case of independent operators, their consortium or designated third-party administrator will be responsible for carrying out the follow-up testing plan.
![](https://www.sgibinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Diseno-sin-titulo-13-768x768.png)
The outcome
The Information Exchange Center is achieving its goal of removing drivers caught using drugs from the roads, according to the FMCSA. However, there is a persistent concern that a significant number of drivers remain in a prohibited state for driving after failing their drug tests, suggesting that many have chosen to leave the profession instead of enrolling in the return-to-duty program.
Since the Information Exchange Center kicked off in January 2020, there have been 224,000 positive results in drug and alcohol tests, mostly due to marijuana use. As of the end of September, 149,374 drivers were still in a prohibited status, and 113,639 had not yet initiated the return-to-work process.
The FMCSA stated that it does not yet have its own investigations explaining the situation. The final rule aims to contribute to keeping drivers unsafe off the road by increasing compliance with the prohibition on driving commercial vehicles.
![The story of the first car race in Paris: a historic hit in 1894](https://www.sgibinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1-27-300x284.png)
The story of the first car race in Paris: a historic hit in 1894
Paris stands not only as a cultural and artistic epicenter but also as a pioneer in car racing In the history of automotive racing, Paris
![En la imagen se muestra una carretera de Estados Unidos](https://www.sgibinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1-26-300x284.png)
Top states for driving in the United States in 2024
A WalletHub study compared all 50 states to determine the best driving conditions Road safety and quality are central concerns for drivers. And while the
![En la imagen se muestra un vehículo eléctrico](https://www.sgibinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2-25-300x284.png)
Briefs: marijuana reclassification, vehicle fees, and climate grants
The trucking industry goes through new legislation, taxes and subsidies Questions about the proposed reclassification of marijuana The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) supports the
![En la imagen se muestra la contaminación del tráfico](https://www.sgibinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2-24-300x284.png)
Impact of traffic pollution: study reveals increase in blood pressure
A study from the University of Washington in Seattle reveals that the main cause of significant increases in blood pressure might be traffic-related gasses A
![En la imagen se muestra un conductor de camión](https://www.sgibinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/3-13-300x284.png)
The benefits and careers of a Commercial Driver’s License
Having a CDL opens multiple doors within the trucking and transportation industry Having a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) opens multiple doors within the trucking industry,
![En la imagen se muestra un camión con vehículos en la carretera](https://www.sgibinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2-22-300x284.png)
Sharing the road with a truck: steps to ensure your safety
Caution around blind spots and anticipating truck maneuvers are essential to ensuring everyone’s safety Truck drivers face significant challenges on the road due to their