A DOT drug or alcohol violation means you cannot perform covered safety-sensitive duties until the required process is completed.

A qualified SAP conducts an individualized clinical evaluation and recommends education and/or treatment.

Participate in the SAP's recommendations. There is no universal class count or guaranteed timeline.

The SAP reviews appropriate information and conducts another clinical interview to determine successful compliance.

If an employer chooses to return you, it ensures the required test has the qualifying result before safety-sensitive work resumes.

After return, the employer implements the SAP's unannounced testing plan. The individual schedule is not shared with the employee.

Completing the SAP evaluation does not guarantee employment, a negative test, immediate driving privileges, or removal of a recorded violation.

How return-to-duty works