Glostone News

The DOT requires employers to conduct a pre-employment drug test, obtain a three-year drug and alcohol violation history, and monitor employees on an on-going basis.

Motor carriers who fail to conduct this screening could be subject to fines. While a variety of factors are considered when fines are assessed, record-keeping fines begin at $500 per day and the fine for knowingly falsifying records is $5,000. However, monetary damages can extend far beyond those assessed by the FMCSA.

In May 2014, a trucking company’s owners were charged with, among other things, concealing driver’s positive drug test. One of the many counts of Indictments charged Rose Marie Diffenderfer with false statements or entries for willfully concealing and covering up a positive drug test result for one the company’s truck drivers. Each count of the Indictment carries a maximum statutory penalty of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, according to a DOT report.