The 4 Steps of the Return to Duty Process

Return toDuty Process

RTD Step 1: Obtain a Substance Abuse Specialist (SAP) Evaluation

Your employer must provide a free list of DOT certified SAPs. The list can be compiled by your employer, or from a consortium/third-party administrator (C/TPA) or other service agent. The list must contain the name, address, and phone number of an approved local SAP. You are also free to choose your own based on your research.

SAP will conduct a face-to-face substance abuse assessment. The assessment must provide:

A comprehensive and clinical assessment of your drug or alcohol related problems.

Treatment and/or educational programs and referrals that must be completed prior to returning to any commercial driving and safety-sensitive duties.

A written report directly to your Designated Employer Representative (DER) stating your post-assessment education/treatment plan recommendations.



RTD Step 2: Completion of the SAP-assigned therapeutic and/or educational program

If you want to get back into the driver's seat of a commercial vehicle, you must satisfactorily complete the SAP-designated treatment and/or education program.

What's more: Your employer doesn't have to pay for any SAP assessments or any assigned education or treatment programs. Payment of RTD process services is left to existing management labor agreements and governance of health care benefits.

RTD Step 3: Complete Subsequent SAP Assessment

Your SAP will undergo a follow-up assessment after you have completed your treatment and/or educational program requirements. This in-person assessment will determine your eligibility to take the return-to-work test and return to commercial driving safely. Your SAP will also provide your DER with a written report summarizing the completion of your program. They will also give a determination to be "fit for duty".

RTD Step 4: Follow-up Drug and Alcohol Testing

Only your current employer can send you to take the return-to-work test. After you receive a negative return to duty test result, you are legally allowed to drive again. Long live! Just know that your SAP will provide a follow-up test plan for your DER.

DOT requires your SAP to schedule at least six drug and alcohol tests over a 12-month period. This process can last up to five years, and each follow-up test must be under direct observation. Changing employers won't make this testing program go away.



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