Real questions, plain answers

A consortium is a managed pool of CDL drivers that meets FMCSA random testing requirements. The consortium runs random selections on behalf of all enrolled drivers, so you don't have to manage your own random pool. Required by FMCSA for owner-operators and recommended for small fleets.

Any self-employed CDL driver (owner-operator) operating a commercial motor vehicle in interstate or intrastate commerce. Fleets with fewer than ~50 drivers typically join a consortium for the same reason: it's easier and statistically valid for random selection.

FMCSA requires a minimum 50% random drug testing rate and 10% random alcohol testing rate annually. We run selections quarterly across the entire consortium pool to meet those rates.

The Clearinghouse is a federal database that tracks CDL driver drug and alcohol violations. Employers must run pre-employment full queries before hiring, annual limited queries on all drivers, and report violations within 3 days. We handle all of this for you.

DOT testing follows 49 CFR Part 40 and is required for safety-sensitive transportation positions (CDL drivers, pipeline workers, transit, aviation). It uses a specific 5-panel test and SAMHSA-certified labs. Non-DOT testing is for everyone else and can use whatever panel and rules the employer chooses, within state law.

Depends on the drug and the test type. Urine: most drugs are detectable for 2 to 7 days; marijuana can last 30+ days in chronic users. Hair: 90 days. Oral fluid: 24 to 48 hours. Breath alcohol: hours, not days. Talk to us if you're considering which test to use for your situation.

An SAP is a licensed clinician who evaluates drivers who fail a DOT drug or alcohol test and creates a return-to-duty program. Required by 49 CFR Part 40 Subpart O before a driver can perform safety-sensitive duties again. We can refer you to qualified SAPs in your area.

Yes. We dispatch DOT-certified collectors to jobsites, fleet yards, and remote field locations. Common scenarios: post-accident testing after a DOT crash, reasonable suspicion testing for active employees, and high-volume pre-employment at a manufacturing facility.

Most pre-employment checks include: national criminal database search, county/state/federal criminal court records for addresses where the applicant lived, SSN trace and identity verification, and either MVR (for driving roles) or education/employment verification. We tailor packages by industry and role.

Most reports complete in 2 to 5 business days. Faster for criminal-only checks; slower if employment verification requires phone outreach to prior employers. We push for speed without skipping due process steps.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act governs how employers can use consumer reports in hiring decisions. Standalone written disclosure, applicant authorization, pre-adverse action notice, 5-day waiting period, and final adverse action notice are all required. Skipping any step is the #1 reason employers face FCRA lawsuits. We handle the entire process for you.

§391.51 is the FMCSA regulation that specifies what documents must be in every CDL driver's qualification file. It covers the application, medical card, driver's license copy, road test or equivalent, annual review of driving record, MVR pulls, drug/alcohol testing records, and Clearinghouse query records.

Most records: as long as the driver is employed plus 3 years after termination. Drug and alcohol test results: 5 years for negative results, indefinitely for positives. Medical records: 3 years after termination. Our system retains everything per FMCSA requirements automatically.

Call us at 1 (888) 869-0898 or use our contact form. We'll spend 10 to 15 minutes understanding your business and recommend the right program. No high-pressure sales, no hidden fees.

All 50 states via partner clinic network. Walk-in testing at our La Grande, Oregon office. Mobile collection at any jobsite in the lower 48 with sufficient lead time.

Pricing depends on test type, volume, and program complexity. Single pre-employment urine tests are inexpensive. Full consortium plus DQ file management for a 25-driver fleet is a monthly subscription. We always quote upfront with no hidden charges.

Our collectors are DOT-certified per 49 CFR Part 40, our labs are SAMHSA-certified, our Medical Review Officers are licensed and AAMRO-certified, and our background checks are FCRA-compliant. The credentials behind every step of the process.