Companies Using Aggressive Marketing Tactics To Sell Services

Updated by DOT On: 12/1/2011

In recent months, the DOT has received numerous inquiries and complaints regarding companies using aggressive marketing tactics to sell supervisor training to employers who may be subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s drug and alcohol testing requirements. Please note that the FMCSA is not familiar with these companies or the training they are offering.

49 CFR §382.603 requires supervisors of CDL drivers to take 60 minutes of training on the symptoms of alcohol abuse and another 60 minutes of training on the symptoms of controlled substances use. The purpose is to qualify supervisors for determining when reasonable suspicion testing is needed.

The FMCSA does not certify trainers or training companies, nor does it pre-approve the curriculum presented. Employers are responsible for meeting the training requirement of 49 CFR §382.603, including ensuring that any training company/entity from which they purchase training provides training in the physical, behavioral, speech, and performance indicators of probable alcohol misuse and use of controlled substances. It is up to the employer to select which training to attend, keeping in mind the aforementioned guidelines. www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/news/new-at-fmcsa/DOT-Supervisory-Drug-and-Alcohol-Training.aspx