Alcohol & Drug Testing: What Drivers Need to Know

Employee Education for FMCSA-Regulated Testing Programs

Drivers need clear information about prohibited conduct, testing situations, consequences, responsibilities and the employer's policy before participating in a drug-and-alcohol testing program.

Tampa Bay Training provides instructor-led education for CDL drivers while helping employers connect the general regulatory material to their written policy and internal procedures.

Price: $99 per participant
Delivery: Onsite only
Length: 4–8 hours
Private-class minimum: Seven-participant billing minimum
Maximum class size: 20 participants
Written assessment: 25-question multiple-choice examination
Completion document: J. J. Keller certificate
Optional handbook: $10
TBT refresher recommendation: Every two years

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Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for CDL drivers participating in an employer's FMCSA drug-and-alcohol testing program. It may also assist:

• Newly hired covered drivers
• Existing drivers receiving periodic education
• Fleet and safety personnel
• Supervisors who need an overview of driver responsibilities
• Human resources personnel supporting policy distribution and records

This course does not prepare a participant to make reasonable-suspicion testing determinations. Designated supervisors should complete the separate Reasonable Suspicion Training for Supervisors of CDL Drivers.

What Participants Will Learn

Course content may include:

• The purpose of the employer's testing program
• Categories of prohibited conduct
• Safety-sensitive functions
• Testing situations and general procedures
• Employee responsibilities before, during and after testing
• Consequences of a violation or refusal
• Medication and substance-safety considerations
• The employer's policy, contacts and reporting procedures
• Available assistance and support resources
• Questions employees should direct to the employer or qualified program administrator

Employer Policy and Educational Materials

FMCSA requires employers to provide covered drivers with written policy and educational materials containing specified information before the driver begins participating in the testing program. The employer must also maintain the required employee acknowledgment.

TBT's course supports the education process, but the employer remains responsible for:

• Maintaining a compliant written policy
• Providing the required materials
• Identifying the person available to answer driver questions
• Obtaining and retaining required acknowledgments
• Operating the testing program
• Updating materials when regulations or procedures change

The client should provide its current policy before the class.

Course Format and Assessment

Successful completion requires full attendance, participation and a passing score on the 25-question multiple-choice examination. Successful participants receive a J. J. Keller certificate.

The certificate documents course completion. It does not replace the employer's policy-distribution acknowledgment or other required testing-program records.

Refresher Guidance

FMCSA does not establish a recurring training interval for driver education. Tampa Bay Training recommends refresher education every two years.

Earlier education should be considered when:

• The employer's policy changes
• Regulations or testing procedures change
• An employee's responsibilities change
• Program reviews identify knowledge gaps
• The organization adopts a shorter internal cycle

The two-year interval is a TBT best-practice recommendation, not an FMCSA certificate-expiration requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Reasonable Suspicion Training?

No. This course educates drivers about the drug-and-alcohol program. The separate supervisor course prepares designated supervisors to recognize and document observations supporting reasonable-suspicion testing.

Does the J. J. Keller certificate replace our signed policy acknowledgment?

No. The employer remains responsible for providing its written policy and materials and maintaining any required employee acknowledgment.

Must drivers repeat the course every two years?

FMCSA does not specify a recurring interval. TBT recommends every two years and sooner when policies, procedures or responsibilities change.

Does Tampa Bay Training conduct drug or alcohol testing?

This page describes training only. Testing services are not included unless separately confirmed in writing.

Registration and Private Scheduling

Public onsite classes may be advertised through Eventbrite. Private classes have a seven-participant billing minimum and a maximum of 20 participants.

Phone: 813-360-1526
Email: service@tampabaytraining.com

View Upcoming Classes

Request Private Training