The review does not introduce new drug or alcohol testing rules. Instead, DOT is seeking renewed federal approval to continue collecting information already required under its existing regulations.

What DOT Is Reviewing

The request appeared in the Federal Register on November 9, 2026, and covers paperwork associated with drug and alcohol testing across federally regulated transportation industries.

Under 49 CFR Part 40, DOT establishes procedures for conducting workplace drug and alcohol tests. In trucking, those procedures operate alongside Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations in 49 CFR Part 382, which apply to drivers operating commercial motor vehicles that require a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

The information collection includes 45 paperwork requirements and two DOT forms. One is the Alcohol Testing Form, which documents individual alcohol tests. The other is the Management Information System (MIS) Data Collection Form, used to report employer-level testing information.

MIS reports contain aggregate testing results rather than identifying individual employees. Federal transportation agencies use this information to monitor testing programs and help determine annual random testing rates.

DOT is proposing minor changes to the MIS form, primarily involving information collected from pipeline operators. The proposed revisions do not change the reporting requirements for motor carriers.

Federal Review Includes Administrative Work Across Transportation Industries

DOT estimates that the information collection affects approximately 2.38 million respondents and accounts for 723,484 hours of administrative work each year.

Those figures cover all transportation sectors subject to the collection, including employers and testing service providers. They are not estimates for the trucking industry alone.

For motor carriers, drug and alcohol testing compliance involves maintaining required documentation and ensuring that testing records are available when needed. Companies may handle these responsibilities internally or use third-party administrators to assist with their programs.

The current review allows employers to address the time and resources involved in meeting those requirements. DOT is particularly interested in whether its estimates accurately reflect the work being performed.

What the Review Means for Truck Drivers

The notice does not change when commercial drivers must undergo federally required drug or alcohol testing. Existing requirements covering pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable-suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing remain in place.

It also does not change the procedures used to collect or evaluate test results.

The public comment period concerns the information that employers and testing service providers must document and report. Any future changes to the paperwork collection would be separate from changes to the underlying testing requirements.

How to Submit Comments Before January 8

DOT is requesting feedback on whether the information collected is necessary, whether the estimated administrative burden is accurate, and whether the reporting process could be improved.

Comments may be submitted through Regulations.gov under docket number DOT-OST-2026-4192. Submissions must be received by January 8, 2027.

The agency will consider the feedback before requesting renewed approval from the Office of Management and Budget. Until any changes are formally adopted, existing federal testing and recordkeeping requirements remain in effect.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: November 13, 2026

Source: The Trucker

The post DOT Opens Public Comment Period on Drug and Alcohol Testing Paperwork Requirements appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.