FMCSA: Fewer Positive Drug Tests in 2023 for Truckers

Positive drug tests among truck drivers declined markedly in 2023, according to a federal database. 

In total, 61,443 positive tests were reported to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse in 2023. This is 10 percent less than the 68,639 recorded in 2022, according to a recent report. 

The most flagged drug by far was marijuana, accounting for over half of the positive tests: 37,657. The rest of the top five were cocaine (10,326 positives), methamphetamine (4,515), amphetamine (4,222) and oxymorphone (1,094). 

Despite 2023’s reduction in positive drug tests, FMCSA actually reported an increase in the number of drug violations, because violations cover both positive test results and drivers that refuse testing. The data showed 68,229 drug violations in 2023, versus 67,775 in 2022. 

At the conclusion of 2023, 158,330 drivers remained in prohibited status after testing positive, with 120,676 not having started the required return-to-duty process, according to the report.