Do Owners Get Drug Tested?
Topic 30531 | Page 1
I’m thinking of starting up a hotshot business (one ton truck and trailer, not big rig) I would be the only employee as I’d be the owner and operator. I don’t do drugs, but do smoke CBD for mild anxiety and sleep. I’m currently self employed now in another field. I know if I was to go get a job working for someone else driving a truck I’d be tested, but what if I’m driving my own as an owner? Would there be a reason I’d have to go get tested?
Howdy, Lerry T. !
As 'I' understand it .....
If you stay at or under 26K GVWR , and don't need/won't obtain a CDLA, it shouldn't be an issue with the FMCSA (at least, haha!) but sure could bite you in the bum with any incidents/accidents ... and/or the people you haul for & contract with.
Here's a link to the clearinghouse; might answer some of your questions:
Others will chime in, but ..... there's a start!
Good luck!
~ Anne ~
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
GVWR:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GVWR is the maximum operating weight of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer, minus any trailers.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Yes, no, and maybe. The rule for the Federal regs are:
1. Do you operate a truck or bus: a) with a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 or more lbs.? b) designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver)? c) of any size that transports hazardous materials which the vehicle is placarded? 2. Do you need to hold a CDL in the United States or a similar license issued in Mexico or Canada?
If you answer, "yes" to any part of 1 and question 2 above you are subject to DOT-FMCSA drug and alcohol regs. Your state may have their own requirements as well. What state/states do you plan on operating in? Your trailer would need to be rated for less than 10,001 lbs GVW as well.
To meet your requirements your business model may not be financially viable. Bear in mind, a Toyota Highlander weighs 6,000 lbs by itself. There are several heavier vehicles than the Highlander, but most SUV's are in that ballpark. You would only be able to pull one SUV at a time! A lot of hot shots have a hard enough time finding enough loads to keep the wheels turning without those restrictions.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Besides the fact that "Hot Shots" are targeted pretty much at the scales.... Same as haz-mat haulers tend to get inspected more often out there.
Smoking CBD for anxiety or any other ailment is not illegal. The 2018 farm act made hemp a legal agricultural product. You need to insure that wherever you purchase your CBD hemp is a reputable dispensary and not cousin Tom’s backyard flower shop. CBD hemp growers are restricted to a .04% maximum THC content. Testing looks for the active psychoactive compound THC. Have this discussion with your physician and do some research in the DOT website for verification.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
Smoking CBD for anxiety or any other ailment is not illegal. The 2018 farm act made hemp a legal agricultural product. You need to insure that wherever you purchase your CBD hemp is a reputable dispensary and not cousin Tom’s backyard flower shop. CBD hemp growers are restricted to a .04% maximum THC content. Testing looks for the active psychoactive compound THC. Have this discussion with your physician and do some research in the DOT website for verification.
Howdy, Rob!
Entirely 'possible and probable.' HOWEVER, the FMCSA and the DOT have a ZERO tolerance level for ANY trace amounts. It may not be the 'prescriber, but the provider' ... aka: the end line (or ground zero?) vendor. Is it worth YOUR CDL? Not in my house. How CAN one Ensure that the CBD is, in fact, at or below, the 0.04% legality?
I've done a LOT of research on this, personally . . . even though my driver doesn't seek this for treatment. DaveW. has done an article on this; based partially on:
Best to all; I'm not into debates...just the industry/profession!!
~ Anne ~
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
Besides the fact that "Hot Shots" are targeted pretty much at the scales.... Same as haz-mat haulers tend to get inspected more often out there.
My other half has SOOOOO seen so much of this, last 3 days.. including NOW! 5 STATE vigilance / speed check / whatnot this week, through Saturday!! Auuugh!
~ Anne ~
ps: UPDATES w/YOU, STEVO?
Just a couple of thoughts on the practical side;
1. Your insurance company may require it in order to get you a “reasonable” rate. Maybe not. But something you may want to look into BEFORE laying out the big $ for a rig.
2. If you do require a CDL medical card, I’m pretty sure you’ll be tested.
3. In the event (unlikely or not) you are involved in an accident AND Law Enforcement asks you to take a test, then what?
Maybe none of this matters, maybe it does. But know before you go.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
If you are gonna toke, don't get a CDL , keep it simple. If you have to wonder than its not a smart idea. Just my .02 cents
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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I’m thinking of starting up a hotshot business (one ton truck and trailer, not big rig) I would be the only employee as I’d be the owner and operator. I don’t do drugs, but do smoke CBD for mild anxiety and sleep. I’m currently self employed now in another field. I know if I was to go get a job working for someone else driving a truck I’d be tested, but what if I’m driving my own as an owner? Would there be a reason I’d have to go get tested?