DOT interim final rule on drug testing procedures in effect Oct. 1

An interim final rule (.pdf file), published Sept. 27 in the Federal Register, that authorizes use of a new drug testing form for commercial motor vehicle drivers goes into effect today.

Department of Transportation drug testing programs must use the new Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form recently issued by the Department of Health and Human Services. The interim final rule also includes a technical amendment on guidelines for laboratories to report to medical review officers the concentration of drug or drug metabolite when a test result is positive. The deadline to comment on the interim final rule is Oct. 27.

A final rule (.pdf file) on changes to DOT drug and alcohol testing policy, published in the Aug. 16 Federal Register, also goes into effect today. DOT officials published the interim final rule to clarify a technical amendment left out of the final rule. Changes to certain provisions of its drug testing procedures are intended to create consistency with many, but not all, of the new requirements established by HHS.