FMCSA: Flagged Drug Tests on Upswing

The number of positive drug and alcohol tests among truck drivers is rising year over year, according to a federal database. 

In March, the most recent data available, 6,340 positive screenings were reported to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, according to a recent report. 

That’s up from March 2022’s 6,258 positive tests and a massive jump from March 2021’s 5,671. 

In total, 15,118 positive drug screenings have been reported so far in 2023, the vast majority of which (9,344) were for marijuana.  

That continues a historical clearinghouse trend of marijuana being the most prevalent drug identified in positive tests; since 2020 when the database started, 110,856 tests have been positive for marijuana. The second-highest testing drug is cocaine, with 30,094, according to the report. 

Through the end of March, 129,100 drivers remain in prohibited status after testing positive, with 97,833 not yet starting the required return-to-duty process, the data show.