What You Need To Know About DOT Reasonable Suspicion Training

If you operate a trucking or commercial transportation company, you'll need to follow all the regulations from the U.S. Department of Transportation and its separate agency, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. One of the items on the extensive FMCSA compliance checklist is the completion of DOT reasonable suspicion training. 

What does “suspicion” training entail? In this guide, we look at the training courses, their importance on the road, and the individuals who may need to complete the training. 

What Is Reasonable Suspicion Training?

No matter what type of commercial driver's license you hold, you're expected to operate your vehicle with the utmost safety and awareness. Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other controlled substances can impair your judgment behind the wheel. Impaired driving endangers you and other drivers on the road, but what if you aren’t the driver who’s impaired?

The main purpose of DOT reasonable suspicion training is to prevent impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel. It teaches fleet managers and operators to recognize the signs and symptoms of substance abuse. If a driver exhibits these characteristics, such as slurred speech or balance issues, the supervisor may require drug or alcohol testing.  

Besides identifying issues, a reasonable suspicion training course teaches supervisors how to respond if a driver fails their drug or alcohol test. It lays out the protocol for reporting to officials and provides resources to help the drivers deal with their substance abuse issues. 

Who Must Take a Reasonable Suspicion Training Course?

It’s helpful that all persons designated to supervise transit drivers take the DOT reasonable suspicion training course, including managers and company officials. Why is it important for an authority figure to complete this training? For one thing, training ensures they will know how to respond appropriately if any driver shows signs of drug or alcohol use on the job. 

Federal agencies like the Department of Transportation mandate this training in the trucking industry or supervisors in other sectors, such as:

• Airline pilots
• Pipeline workers
• Railroad officials
• Workers transporting hazardous materials

Allowing impaired workers to operate vehicles or machinery can have dire consequences. The authorities aim to empower knowledgeable leaders who can recognize the problem and then use good judgment in grounding the driver and correctly ordering a drug or alcohol test.

What To Expect During Reasonable Suspicion Training

Supervising a fleet of heavy-duty trucks can fill your schedule to the brim. Thankfully, DOT reasonable suspicion training shouldn't take more than two hours to complete. You can also take your courses online and pause or review each lesson.

Compliance standards call for two hours of reasonable suspicion training, which most course providers split into two courses. One course focuses on drug use in the workplace, and another teaches you about alcohol abuse among drivers. The information in these courses is extensive, so prepare to take some notes.

The topics these courses cover include the following:

• Short and long-term effects of drug and alcohol abuse
• Grounds for ordering drug or alcohol testing
• How to remain a fair and unbiased supervisor surrounding reasonable suspicion 
• The testing process (how to document it and respond to failed drug tests) 

The Importance of Reasonable Suspicion Training

Let’s say that you oversee a commuter bus line or bus transportation for a school district. If one of your drivers begins their shift under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances, it could have disastrous results. The driver may not effectively operate the vehicle or follow road safety rules, putting themselves, their passengers, and other road users in danger. 

Are you supervising a trucking company that transports hazardous materials? That collision as a result of drug or alcohol impairment will also impact the environment and the health of everyone nearby. DOT reasonable suspicion training is crucial if your trucking company is going to avoid disasters like these. 

How To Find Reasonable Suspicion Training Courses

Reasonable suspicion training leads to a safer workplace. As you can find various reasonable suspicion training courses online, it’s understandable that these courses often hone your decision-making skills using real-life simulations.

With any course you take, double-check that they abide by the DOT's requirement of two hours of total training (either rolled into one or split into drug and alcohol modules).

Get a Handle on All Federal Regulations for Trucking Professionals

Did you know that there are separate DOT regulations for pickup trucks and trailers? Staying on top of all the industry's mandates can be difficult, and completing DOT reasonable suspicion training is one of these many requirements for trucking company managers. 

Since we appreciate the challenges of staying on top of compliance, FMCA Filings takes the guesswork out of applying for appropriate vehicle permits, abiding by safety regulations, and much more. Use our online portal to explore all DOT requirements and easily apply for the permits you need. You can also use our Live Chat feature to consult a specialist.