DOT Withdraws Oral Fluid Drug Testing Rule

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has pulled back a rule allowing drug and alcohol tests of oral fluids, citing negative feedback. 

Originally announced in 2023, the rule permitting fluid testing was meant to provide another option to companies besides urine testing. However, DOT said it is withdrawing the rule after receiving “adverse comments” after it appeared in the Federal Register on June 21, 2024. 

In the June 21 rule, the agency noted that potential. According to the docket, 16 comments were sent in, none of which were supportive. 

The National Drug & Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA) opposed the rule, because of a requirement that the Department of Health and Human Services certify at least two labs for oral testing. The group contended that this would cause unnecessary problems and costs. The association also accused DOT of lowering its collections standards with this rule. 

Multiple commenters echoed NDASA’s assessment of the rule.