Frequently Asked Questions

Will I receive a certificate for my compliance training?

Yes. If you are attending a live seminar, we will provide a certificate bearing your name upon completion. If you are taking the online course, you may download and print a PDF version of the certificate personalized with your name.

I am just a single owner-operator. Am I required to complete this training?

Only persons designated to supervise employees in safety sensitive positions must receive this training which is not applicable for single owner-operators.

What will DOT do if supervisors do not have this mandatory training?

Fines for non-compliance are one of the strongest deterrents DOT uses on a consistent basis, yet in conjunction with other violations could ultimately result in loss of DOT registration number. The bigger issue at hand is liability from allowing potentially avoidable serious accidents or fatality if a supervisor were properly trained.

Does this training need to be renewed every year for supervisors?

DOT requirements are that any supervisors of DOT safety sensitive positions be trained on drug and/or alcohol awareness indicators regarding reasonable suspicion only once in their lifetime. However, to stay current on trends and regulations, a refresher course at least every five (5) years is recommended.

How can I prove that training has been completed when audited by the DOT?

Each attendee will receive a Certificate of Training upon successful completion of training. These are presented at the conclusion of the training event.

Why is reasonable suspicion training on indicators of drug abuse and alcohol misuse in the workplace for those in charge of supervising DOT employees in safety sensitive positions important?

There are two primary reasons why training for reasonable suspicion of drug/alcohol abuse. The first reason is obvious and second reason is more subtle than most realize:

#1 Prevention Of Accidents/Fatalities -- If one is adequately trained on reasonable suspicion then hopefully that supervisor can prevent someone performing a safety sensitive position that could injure themself or others due to judgment being impaired by drug/alcohol abuse.

#2 Prevention Of Lawsuits -- If an employee has been selected by supposed reasonable suspicion by a person of authority managing DOT employee, DOT regulations require a supervisor be trained on these indicators BEFORE they can request a reasonable suspicion drug/alcohol test. If that supervisor is not properly and officially trained on drug/alcohol abuse indicators, then could quite possibly open up for legal harassment and/or unfair treatment to an employee.

What is a "safety sensitive position" as defined by DOT?

A person actually performing, ready to perform, or immediately available to perform functions which include: all time spent at the driving controls of a commercial motor vehicle in operation; all time waiting to be dispatched, or remaining in readiness to operate the vehicle; all time inspecting, servicing, or conditioning the vehicle; all time loading or unloading a vehicle, supervising, assisting, or attending a vehicle being loading or unloading, and time giving or receiving receipts for shipments loaded or unloaded; and all time repairing, obtaining assistance, or remaining in attendance of a disabled vehicle.

What if I'm not able to complete the online training all at once?

You can start/stop the training and start back where you left off without having to take the entire course or any section over again.

What is a DOT Supervisor?

A Dot supervisor is often understood as the reasonable suspicion supervisor course that is intended for your supervisors and managers. However, a Dot supervisor by actual definition is the person holding the position of a supervisor in your company who overseas commercial motor vehicle drivers and identifies any safety threats that might be looming in your organization posed because of their use of any drug, alcohol, or any other substance at the workplace.

What is DOT Supervisor Drug and Alcohol Training?

The Dot supervisor drug and alcohol training has a purpose. It is performed to train your supervisors so that they can identify circumstances and various indicators within the organization that may be clear signs of reasonable suspicion about any driver who is under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. This training is important for your supervisors to ensure that none of your safety-sensitive position holders are working under the influence of any substances or alcohol under any circumstances. The department of transportation enforces this drug and alcohol training for every CDL-holding employee in your company.

What are the 6 reasons to test for drugs?

The 6 primary reasons to test your drivers for drugs and other substances are as follows:

Pre-employment requirements

Post-accident testing

Random testing

Return to duty tests

Follow up programs

Reasonable suspicion

What happens if I fail my DOT drug test?

If you happen to fail your dot drug test, you will be removed from your safety-sensitive job almost immediately. Your employer will have to take this action to maintain the safety of everyone at the workplace. There might be a few consequences such as certification or license being canceled. This depends entirely on the employment agreement and the policy of the company as well.

Who is required to take DOT supervisor drug and alcohol training?

You will be required to take this test if you operate any commercial motor vehicles or heavy equipment or machinery that necessitates having a commercial driving license. If you are operating any machinery or vehicles on public roads, you must get your dot supervisor training right away.

Where can I do DOT supervisor training?

It is very easy to complete the training online. You just have to visit ComplianceEducators.Com to learn more.

How much does mandatory DOT supervisor training cost?

Just visit ComplianceEducators.Com to find out about the latest supervisor training costs and expenses.

How long does dot supervisor training take?

You must take at least 60 minutes (per discipline) of training as per 49 CFR 382.603 which states the regulations applicable to supervisors of commercial motor vehicle drivers. Every motor vehicle operator who has a commercial driving license must take the training on the symptoms of alcohol abuse (60 min) and controlled substances (60 min). This amounts to a total of 120 minutes of training.

Will I receive a certificate for my compliance training?

Yes. You will get a certificate for the same if you have attended a live seminar and have completed the entire course in time. You can download and print your certificate easily. It will have your name on it stating that you have completed the course successfully.

I am just a single owner-operator. Am I required to complete this training?

This training is not applicable to single owner-operators. If you have more than one employee only then you must take this training.

What will DOT do if supervisors do not have this mandatory training?

If any of your supervisors do not participate in this training or fail to complete the training, you will incur heavy fines and penalties. You could ultimately lose your dot registration number as well if you continue with this violation. An even bigger issue is the liability that arises from letting an untrained supervisor handle and supervise all your safety-sensitive functions.

Does this training need to be renewed every year for supervisors?

This training is essential only once in the lifetime of a supervisor. They must be trained in the drug and alcohol awareness indicators for reasonable suspicion only. However, it is important that they update themselves on the current trends and regulations and choose a refresher course every 5 years.

How can I prove that training has been completed when audited by the DOT?

You don't have to do much to prove that the course has been completed by your supervisors. Each attendee is going to receive a certificate of training when they successfully complete their course. They will get this certificate when their training gets concluded.

Why is reasonable suspicion training on indicators of drug abuse and alcohol misuse in the workplace for those in charge of supervising DOT employees in safety-sensitive positions important?

The two biggest reasons for training for reasonable suspicion of drug and alcohol abuse are prevention of accidents and prevention of lawsuits.

Preventing Accidents And Fatalities

In the presence of adequately trained and alert supervisors, any safety-sensitive position holders that might be under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be identified and accidents can be prevented. This means that the supervisor is in a better position to prevent any mishaps and fatalities from occurring at the workplace due to any misjudgment by an employee who is impaired by drug and alcohol use or abuse.

Preventing Lawsuits

If any person of authority in your organization has selected an employee based on reasonable suspicion, you must make sure that he has undergone adequate and appropriate DOT supervisor training before he exercises any such authority on any of your employees. If it comes to light that the person has not completed or hasn't been trained officially in drug and alcohol abuse indicators, it may lead to legal issues for the company. The employee might file a lawsuit against you for harassment and unfair treatment.

What is a "safety-sensitive position" as defined by DOT?

A safety-sensitive position is a critical job description or function that requires the holder of that position to be alert and active at all times. Any position that involves the driver using driving controls and primarily operating a commercial motor vehicle is considered a safety-sensitive position. If the job requires the employee to remain in readiness and also perform regular inspections and conditioning of the vehicle, in addition to performing loading and unloading activities, supervising, assisting, attending, receiving shipments, repairing, and enabling a disabled vehicle among other things, it will be considered a safety-sensitive position.

What if I'm not able to complete the online training all at once?

That is not a problem. You can pause and restart your training at your convenience. You do not have to take the entire course in one sitting or get it over with as fast as you can. You can take your time.