Failing a drug test can have a significant impact on a career in the automotive industry.
This is particularly true for safety-sensitive positions, like holders of Commercial
Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), where the consequences of failing a drug test are severe and can completely derail a career in the automotive industry.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what can happen, and what options are available to workers who have failed a drug test and are looking to get back to work as quickly as possible.
Short Term Consequences
The immediate consequences of failing a drug test are severe.
It is worth mentioning that not all automotive careers will routinely drug test, and only safety-sensitive positions will have this protocol.
Employment Termination and Legal Implications
The vast majority of automotive employers maintain strict zero-tolerance policies toward drug use, unsurprisingly. Whether or not drug tests are done is a whole different story, but safety sensitive positions, as mentioned, are held to a very high standard in this department.
Your employment contract likely contains specific clauses addressing substance abuse policies, giving your employer legal grounds for dismissal.
Federal law also protects employers who terminate employees who have failed drug tests, as many automotive positions are considered safety sensitive which means federal regulations take precedence.
Documentation of your failed test will become part of your employment record, which can lead to longer-term problems, which we discuss shortly.
Impact on Professional Licenses and Certifications
For those holding Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) essential for test driving, parts delivery, or transport roles, the consequences are particularly severe. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration maintains strict requirements that often lead to automatic license suspension following positive drug test results.
Many certification boards require completion of substance abuse programs and a waiting period before reinstatement consideration, but more on this later.
Challenges in Finding New Employment
After failing a drug test, it’s going to be much harder to find employment elsewhere as the failed test will go on your employment record.
People who have faced these kinds of issues typically remain unemployed for longer periods of time, and trying to hide your history can lead to termination in the future, and putting your workplace at further risk.
There are things you can do to make the process easier, such as taking a SAP program or challenging the drug test violation if you believe you are innocent.
Legal Challenges
Seeking legal help can be useful in cases where you believe that the test may not have been carried out correctly, and there are employment law specialist attorneys who can help.
If the substance abuse was genuine, focusing on rehabilitation is the best option. This means taking a SAP program (more on this shortly) if you are focused on recovering and getting back to work quickly, or long-term rehabilitation if returning to work is not as important.
SAP Programs
Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) programs offer a quick pathway back to your career after a failed drug test.
A SAP program consists of certified professionals who evaluate individuals and create a program for them to return to work safely and overcome their drug issues.
There are many benefits to these programs, mainly that workers are provided with a professional analysis and a route to get back to work safely while overcoming their issues.
The SAP program process typically starts with an initial assessment, and then varying levels of education, treatment, and follow up assessments until return-to-duty testing can begin.
