A Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is undertaken with the full power and resources of the federal government behind it. This means that the regulations and environment is tightly controlled and delivers highly-accurate and replicable results.
Still, like any enterprise, there’s always the potential of wrong or inaccurate results in some cases. Drug tests, including those conducted for DOT purposes, are designed to be highly accurate, but they are not perfect.
How Can a DOT Drug Test Be Wrong?
A DOT drug test is an extremely important aspect of your employment in the transportation industry, particularly if you’re a driver or “safety-sensitive” employee. A positive result can follow you around, even well after the initial test. While they are designed to be highly accurate, a DOT drug test can be inaccurate for various reasons:
- Laboratory errors – Human errors in the testing process, such as sample mix-ups or mislabeling, can lead to incorrect results. Laboratories may also have issues with equipment calibration or maintenance, affecting the accuracy of the tests.
- Cross-contamination – If proper procedures for collecting and handling urine samples are not followed, there’s a risk of cross-contamination. This can result in false-positive results, where a sample is contaminated with traces of drugs from another source.
- Medications and supplements – Some over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements can trigger false-positive results in drug tests. It’s crucial for individuals being tested to disclose any medications they are taking to avoid misinterpretation of results.
- External factors – Environmental factors, such as exposure to secondhand smoke or contact with substances containing trace amounts of drugs, can lead to false-positive results. It’s essential to consider these factors when interpreting drug test results.
- Sample tampering – In some cases, individuals may attempt to tamper with their urine samples to produce a negative result. Conversely, others might try to adulterate samples to mask the presence of drugs. DOT tests have strict procedures in place to detect such tampering, but it’s still a possibility.
- Individual variations – Metabolism and individual physiology can vary, leading to differences in how drugs are processed and eliminated from the body. This can result in variations in drug test results among different individuals.
- Testing methods – The choice of testing method can also impact the accuracy of results. Different methods, such as urine, hair, or saliva testing, have different detection windows and sensitivities, which can affect the outcome.
- Paperwork issues – Errors can occur due to issues related to legal and regulatory compliance, such as improper handling of paperwork or documentation errors.
It’s crucial to understand that DOT drug tests follow strict protocols to reduce errors, but there is still a chance of inaccuracies. If you think your test results are wrong, you do have options. However, it’s important to understand the proper procedure for doing so.
What Should You Do After a Wrong DOT Drug Test?
When you submit a sample after reporting for a DOT drug test, the testing process is out of your hands. However, when you get the results back and you believe they are wrong or inaccurate, you do have a number of options for resolving them:
- Review the results – First, review the test results and make sure you understand them. Verify that there are no misunderstandings or discrepancies.
- Talk to the facility – Contact the testing facility or laboratory where the test was conducted. They can provide you with information about the testing process and any potential errors that may have occurred.
- Request another test – If you still believe the results are incorrect after discussing it with the testing facility, you have the option to request a retest. Make sure to follow the specific procedures outlined by the DOT and the testing facility for requesting a retest.
- Follow DOT regulations – Familiarize yourself with the DOT regulations regarding dispute resolution and retesting procedures. The DOT has established guidelines for addressing inaccuracies in drug test results.
- Document everything – Keep detailed records of your interactions with the testing facility, any correspondence, and documentation related to the dispute. This documentation may be valuable if you need to escalate the issue.
- Be open and respectful – Throughout the process, maintain open and respectful communication with all parties involved. This can help promote a resolution and minimize potential negative consequences.
Obviously, it can be stressful to go through this process–especially if a positive result takes away your ability to drive your truck or go to work. This can have significant consequences for you, your family, and your employer. However, by taking the above steps, it can lead to resolution.
Testing and Compliance Solutions From Fleet Drug Testing
No matter what your position is in the transportation industry, you have to comply with the DOT’s regulations for drug testing. As such, it’s important to not only report for these tests, but to be able to pass them so you can keep working.
At Fleet Drug Testing, we can handle everything that’s required in terms of DOT drug testing. From reporting to a convenient location to putting together a program and reporting services, we have you covered. Contact us today to get started or explore our programs to find one that meets your needs.
