Alcohol And Hair Testing

I apologize if it's been asked a million times. But I've read up here for an hour or so and haven't found this topic. Do the paid trucking schools hair tests include alcohol , or just illegal drugs and prescriptions? If I didnt post this right please direct to me to the right section. And thank you for any responses.

They're looking for drugs. That includes illegal and certain prescription drugs such as pain killers. You'll be asked about alcohol consumption at your physical to ensure you dont have a drinking problem but thats about it.

I'll just throw this out there because it relates to alcohol. Nearly every company has a ZERO tolerance policy whether youre at the hotel they paid for or having a cold beer with dinner while on the road. Get caught doing it and you're out of a job. The legal limit of a CDL holder is .04. If you have even a trace on your breath the DOT can shut you down for 24 hours and your company will know why, likely making you unemployed. Drug and alcohol tests are now recorded in the clearinghouse database so all future employers will have access to your past results as a driver. In the 2 years I've been employed at my local job I've been random drug tested 3 times and given a breath test (along with all drivers than showed up within that 30 minutes) for alcohol. There have been people sent home for drinking while at paid training. Prime for instance has people watching you early all the time including people that clean your room at the hotel looking for empty cans or people at the bar. I can't remember who it was but somebody said a group of newly licensed drivers went out after they all passed their CDL test to have a couple beers and were immediately terminated. Companies don't play around when it comes to drugs or alcohol. Save the alcohol for when you're at home for a couple days. I'm home nearly every day and only have a couple beers if I'm off a minimum of 24 hours after my last one. The general rule is 8 hours from bottle to throttle but that obviously is affected by what, and how much you drank.

Long story short they're just looking for drugs in your system typically over the last 6 months. If there's any possible chance of failing WAIT. A failed drug test will prevent you from getting a chance to enjoy this rewarding career/lifestyle.

I apologize if it's been asked a million times. But I've read up here for an hour or so and haven't found this topic. Do the paid trucking schools hair tests include alcohol , or just illegal drugs and prescriptions? If I didnt post this right please direct to me to the right section. And thank you for any responses.

Hair tests do not look for alcohol.

Are you an ALCOHOLIC - that you should be concerned about tests that look for long-term use?

Urine screening for drugs - pretty much everything except weed is gone in 72 hours. Which is why many companies use hair testing - that detects for much longer. Anyone can quit using drugs for 3 days to pass a urine screen (well, almost anyone).

Hair Testing is NOT DOT APPROVED as a testing method (though it will likely BE, in a year or two). It is a PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING. But has the same effect - FAIL AND DIE (or at least your career does).

So - the question remains. Are you a PROBLEM DRINKER? If you are - PLEASE SOLVE THE PROBLEM BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO ENTER THE INDUSTRY.

Rick

Our Randoms include a breathalyzer, but our Pre-Employment DOT screenings do not.

Alcohol & Trucking don't mix.

Even if you bought beer to take home, if they find a 6 pack in your cab, or an unopened flask of your favorite spirit, case closed.

Since I started in the industry, I have been SHOCKED at how many drivers just don't drink at all. Like ever. Even on vacation.

Compared to the General Population, my guess is that there are far more drivers who completely abstain from alcohol.