Washington — Effective Jan. 1, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration doubled its minimum rate for random controlled substances testing to 50% of the average number of commercial motor vehicle driver positions.
According to a notice published in the Dec. 27 Federal Register, the agency reestablished its 50% testing requirement for 2020 after the estimated rate for positive random drug tests reached 1% in 2018. Under FMCSA regulations, the agency administrator can resume the 50% testing requirement if the positive rate equals or surpasses the 1% threshold.
FMCSA lowered the minimum rate for random drug testing to 25% for 2016 after positive random tests fell below 1% from 2011 through 2013. The positive random test rate stood at 0.7% and 0.8%, respectively, for 2016 and 2017 before rising in 2018.
“This change reflects the increased positive test rate and will result in an estimated $50 (million) to $70 million increase in costs to the industry by requiring that more drivers be tested,” the notice states.
The minimum annual percentage rate for random alcohol testing will remain at 10.
