The Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) has statutes regarding who is required to submit to drug testing and has detailed and specific guidelines and parameters under which they must be tested. Federal DOT rule, 49 CFR Part 40, describes required procedures for conducting workplace drug and alcohol testing for the federally regulated transportation industry. This is applicable to FAA pilots, federal railroad workers and any employee who holds a commercial driver’s license (CDL), to name just a few. Private organizations who employ individuals under any of these guidelines are required to ensure those employees are subject to Federal DOT alcohol and drug testing.
Non-DOT testing is that which is typically utilized by private sector organizations. Although most organizations design a policy that is as stringent as federal guidelines, they are not bound by the Federal Statutes and can design a less stringent program if they so desire. The cost does not typically vary in administering a DOT versus a Non-DOT program.