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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 Recertification 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
Avoiding the Legal Pitfalls of DOT Physical Exams for Physicians
Doctors who perform physical exams for commercial drivers need to be aware of their increased legal liability. Because of Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, medical professionals performing DOT exams have unique legal exposure. Claims against medical...
Shy Lung? 5 Surprising Causes of Insufficient Breath Samples
Two key criteria must be met when using breath alcohol testing equipment, also known as evidential breath testers (or EBTs), to capture a breath sample. First, the test subject must provide a minimum volume of breath. (Between 1200 ccs and 1300 ccs, depending on the...
Creating Work-Life Balance as a Busy DOT Medical Examiner
As a medical professional, you understand how important it is to maintain a healthy balance between the many priorities in your life. You’ve seen how constant access to remote work and emails is blurring the lines between work and home and the impact that stress has...
9 Things You Need to Know About DOT Random Drug Testing
The Department of Transportation requires regular, random drug tests. These tests help make sure employees are not operating a vehicle under the influence. However, random drug testing is only valid if it follows DOT regulations. Whether you want to complete your DOT...
Taking the Mystery out of Choosing a Breath Alcohol Testing Device
With over 100 devices listed on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) list of approved devices, choosing the right breath alcohol testing equipment can be daunting. To simplify things for you, we’ve compiled a list of things to consider when...