What is Pre-Employment Testing?

Before an employee starts any new job, there are usually requirements that need to be met before starting in earnest. For many that includes filling out reams of paperwork for human resources. For others, it includes completing training courses or onboarding programs. In the world of transportation, one requirement, stated by the Clearinghouse Rule, is pre-employment drug testing. 

 

Pre-employment testing is usually completed by the employer and entered into the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database. Let’s take a closer look at the pre-employment query and how this works for new hires. 

What is a Pre-Employment Test? 

There are several points during a commercially licensed driver’s career that they will be tested on. These tests can occur randomly, annually, after a drug or alcohol violation, and most certainly when a driver is initially hired. 

 

This pre-employment test will be requested by an employer and will be the first query by your employer. Your employer can also request electronic consent for a full query, including all pre-employment queries. Employers cannot allow a new driver to operate on public roads without a clear result from the Clearinghouse. To begin any commercial driving job, all drivers must test negative. 

How Does a Pre-Employment Query Differ From an Annual Query? 

According to Clearinghouse Services, “The Pre-employment Query is different from an Annual Query in that if any violations for the driver are reported within 30 days of the Pre-employment query a notification will be sent to the employer notifying them that information in the DACH (Clearinghouse Dashboard) has changed for that driver.”

Helpful Resources 

If you are new to the Clearinghouse or the commercial driving industry, you may need help navigating these tests. That’s where our site comes into play. 

 

Our eLearning courses can help you understand how to use the database and who may access your testing information, as well as return-to-duty protocols, and when tests may be performed. 

 

Additionally the FAQ sections for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration can be very helpful as well. 

 

The CDL industry is always in need of safe drivers. If this industry meets your lifestyle needs you may want to inquire about how you can get started and set up an account with the Clearinghouse now. 

 

Please feel free to contact us or sign up for our eLearningcourses online and get started in your career as a commercial licensed driver now.