Are Texas Semi-Truck Drivers Required to Take Drug Tests?

Drug Tests for Texas Semi-Truck Drivers

Our Houston truck accident attorneys at the Hollingsworth Law Firm know impaired drivers pose a serious risk to everyone on our Texas roadways. When these drivers are behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, a collision can be catastrophic.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) — the agency in the U.S. Department of Transportation that regulates the trucking industry — prohibits truck drivers from using drugs or alcohol while operating commercial vehicles.

Commercial vehicle drivers, which includes semi-truck drivers, are banned from consuming alcohol within four hours of driving. They are also held to a higher standard and have a legal blood alcohol content limit of .04, which is half of a passenger vehicle driver’s limit before he or she is deemed intoxicated.

While the standard for alcohol use is clear, the question is, are Texas 18-wheeler drivers required to take drug tests? The short answer is, yes. The FMCSA requires mandatory drug and alcohol testing to ensure compliance, and both are critical safety measures to prevent potentially deadly commercial vehicle collisions.

The bigger question is, when do they administer drug tests? The answer is much more complicated.

When Does Drug Testing Become Mandatory for Texas Semi-Truck Drivers?

The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, which contains information about holders of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and commercial learner’s permits (CLPs) who are covered by FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Program, reports thousands of truck drivers testing positive for drugs every year.

Unfortunately, Texas truck drivers, and those across the U.S., are not tested each time they get behind the wheel, so the full scope of impairment is not fully known. Semi-truck drivers are subjected to mandatory testing during pre-employment screenings, randomly, and after an accident occurs.

If the truck driver refuses to take a mandatory drug test, it can result in disqualification from driving a commercial vehicle. When the trucking company does not administer proper drug tests, as required by the FMSCA, the organization may also be liable for a crash caused by an impaired driver.

Establishing the connection between drug or alcohol use and a truck collision requires a thorough investigation, which is exactly what our skilled Houston 18-wheeler accident attorneys provide, starting with a free consultation.

Contact Our Skilled Truck Accident Attorneys in Houston, Texas Today

Contact our dedicated Houston truck accident lawyers at the Hollingsworth Law Firm today by calling 713-637-4560 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

Our skilled Houston personal injury lawyers and support staff represent clients throughout the state of Texas on a contingency basis, so you never pay any legal fees unless we win your case.

If you are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve, so are we. Let us take the lead.

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