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Don’t Get Derailed by DOT Record-Keeping Requirements: How to Stay on Track
Navigating the complexities of Department of Transportation record-keeping requirements is no easy task. The DOT has strict guidelines governing the way that transportation companies operate. These rules are in place to keep drivers and citizens safe, but because they...
Can I Return to Commercial Driving After a Heart Attack?
It is an unfortunate truth that truck drivers and commercial drivers in the United States are at a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease than the general population. If you are a commercial driver and you have a heart condition or have experienced a...
A Comprehensive Guide to Alcohol Screening
Companies may choose to conduct alcohol screening for various reasons. For some federally regulated workers, governing organizations mandate random alcohol screening. For other organizations, alcohol testing is more likely to be conducted after an accident, when there...
Why Positive Drug Tests Aren’t Always the End of the Road
As you will learn in the course of your DOT urine collection certification, urine drug tests occasionally come back positive even though the donor isn't using any illicit drugs. Sometimes, the drug tests pick up other prescription medications making it appear as if...
How an Employer Can Assess the Proficiency of a Specimen Collector
Your business's reputation is defined by the proficiency of your staff. Drug testing specimen collectors and Breath Alcohol Technicians (BATs) get training according to the Department of Transportation's regulations, so a DOT certification course is a solid indicator...
Starting Your Own DOT Drug Testing Business
So, you’ve decided to open your own drug testing business. There are multiple arenas where your services will be needed, from worried parents with wayward teens to truck drivers hauling goods across the nation. Here are some things to keep in mind moving toward that...
Can You Pass a DOT Medical Exam With a Heart Murmur?
A normal heart rhythm, as heard through a stethoscope, has two distinct beats. A whooshing sound can indicate a heart murmur. Blood may be passing through the heart in an atypical fashion. It may be a condition you were born with or a sign of disease. The type of...
What Does the DOT Physical Exam Urine Sample Test For?
Have you ever wondered what tests they run on the DOT exam urine sample? Does it check for drugs and alcohol? Does it test for kidney function? Do they check blood glucose levels? The DOT physical exam is designed to determine if you are physically and mentally well...
Facts that May Help You Pass the DOT Medical Exam
Have you been worrying about your upcoming DOT exam? If you have existing health issues, you might wonder if you’ll pass. You may have heard stories from a coworker about the challenges another driver faced. The best approach to your DOT physical is to understand the...
Taking the Medical Examiner Certification Exam in 2025
If you have been performing DOT medical exams, you know there is a high demand for skilled, certified medical examiners. You also know that your certification status will expire after ten years. If you have held your certification for nine years and need to schedule...
Recent Posts
Avoid These Costly DOT Drug Testing Mistakes
It seems like administering DOT drug tests should be a simple and straightforward process. However, knowing who to test, when to test, and what kind of test to administer can be confusing, and doing it wrong can have serious financial consequences for your business....
Can Women Be Truck Drivers? Yes!
Truck driving is currently a male-dominated industry, with over 90% of jobs held by men. It can feel intimidating for women to try to break into commercial driving. However, the industry is changing. The number of women entering the trucking industry is growing...
Commercial Driving and Mental Illness: What Are the Rules?
When you think about the most dangerous jobs, commercial driving might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, among US workers, truck drivers experience the third highest fatality rate, with the majority of those fatalities occurring in highway accidents....
Managing Testing Anxiety For Your DOT Medical Examiner Certification
You’ve been preparing for weeks, yet as you walk into the building for your DOT certification exam, your heart begins to race, your palms get sweaty, and you suddenly can’t remember anything you studied. While you can expect some...
6 Steps to Get Back to Driving After a Failed DOT Drug or Alcohol Test
If you are a commercial driver, failing an official drug test is a big deal that will put your career on hold. The good news is that you can return to work after a failed drug test if you follow the six steps below. Who Needs to Complete the DOT Return-to-Duty...