DOT testing overview
Part 40, agency rules, covered employees, testing categories, and employee responsibilities.
Safety-Sensitive Employee Education
DOT Employee Training
Give safety-sensitive employees clear, role-appropriate education on prohibited drug and alcohol conduct, testing circumstances, the testing experience, violations, and the employer’s DOT program expectations. Online DOT employee drug and alcohol awareness training helps safety-sensitive workers understand program expectations.
DOT overviewProgram and testing basics
Prohibited conductDrug and alcohol rules
Testing experienceCollections, refusals and results
Return-to-dutyViolation and SAP concepts
Course curriculum
Built around what safety-sensitive employees need to understand.
Course content is structured around current U.S. Department of Transportation rules, agency-specific requirements, and practical workplace responsibilities.
Drug-use awareness
Effects and consequences of prohibited drug use on health, safety, and the work environment.
Alcohol misuse
Prohibited alcohol conduct, testing thresholds, timing restrictions, and workplace safety.
Testing experience
What happens during collections/tests, refusals, problem specimens, and result reporting.
Violations and return-to-duty
Removal from safety-sensitive work, SAP evaluation, education/treatment, return-to-duty and follow-up testing.
Employer policy
How the employer’s policy, contacts, assistance resources, and disciplinary rules fit into the DOT framework.
Training plans
Choose an employee training package.
Individual and volume options make it easier to train a regulated workforce consistently.
Single Employee
.
For one safety-sensitive employee.
- Prohibited conduct education
- Testing circumstances
- Employee responsibilities
- Training documentation
10 Employees
.
For small safety-sensitive teams.
- 10 learner seats
- $39 per learner
- Centralized purchase
- Employer training records
20 Employees
.
For growing safety-sensitive workforces.
- 20 learner seats
- $34 per learner
- Centralized purchase
- Employer training records
25 Employees
.
For larger workforces.
- 25 learner seats
- $30 per learner
- Centralized purchase
- Employer training records
Who this is for
Training that matches your responsibilities and experience.
Safety-sensitive employees
- CDL drivers and other FMCSA-covered employees
- Aviation safety-sensitive employees
- Railroad and transit regulated employees
Pipeline and maritime
- PHMSA covered pipeline employees
- USCG-regulated maritime employees
- Employers needing documented education for covered workers
DOT agency coverage
Know which operating rule applies to your workforce.
49 CFR Part 40 provides common DOT drug and alcohol testing procedures. Covered employers also operate under their modal agency rule.
Aviation. 14 CFR Part 120
Drug and alcohol program requirements for covered aviation employers and safety-sensitive employees.
Motor Carrier. 49 CFR Part 382
Drug and alcohol testing requirements for CDL drivers and regulated motor carriers.
Railroad. 49 CFR Part 219
Drug and alcohol requirements for regulated railroad employees and employers.
Public Transit. 49 CFR Part 655
Drug and alcohol program requirements for covered public transportation employers and employees.
Pipeline. 49 CFR Part 199
Drug and alcohol requirements for pipeline operators and covered employees.
Maritime. 46 CFR Parts 4 & 16
Maritime drug and alcohol program requirements for covered vessel operations and personnel.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common employee training questions.
Find information about DOT employee education, testing rules, enrollment, and course access.
Who should take DOT employee drug and alcohol training?
This course is intended for employees performing safety-sensitive duties under DOT-regulated drug and alcohol testing programs. Employers should assign education that matches the applicable agency rule and each employee's responsibilities.
What does employee drug and alcohol training cover?
The curriculum addresses prohibited drug and alcohol conduct, circumstances that can require testing, employee responsibilities, the testing process, and the consequences of violations under applicable DOT rules.
Is employee training required under every DOT agency rule?
Employee education and training requirements differ among DOT operating administrations. Employers must confirm which instruction, materials, and training duration apply to their workforce rather than assuming one course satisfies every agency's requirements.
When can a DOT-covered employee be tested?
Depending on the applicable DOT program, testing may include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion or reasonable cause, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing. Not every test type applies in the same way to every agency or situation.
What happens if an employee refuses a required DOT test?
A refusal under applicable DOT rules can result in removal from safety-sensitive functions and additional return-to-duty requirements before the employee may resume covered work. Employers must follow the relevant DOT definitions and procedures.
Can an employer enroll multiple employees?
Yes. This page offers individual and multi-employee enrollment plans. You can also visit Group Training to review options for larger teams.
Will employees receive training documentation?
Course completion documentation is provided according to the selected training plan and applicable completion requirements. Employers should retain records needed for their regulated program.
Where can employees access training after enrollment?
Employees can access assigned courses through the Student Login. For additional access options, visit the Course Extensions page.