A DOT 5-panel urine drug screen is a test that determines whether someone has taken 5 major abusive drugs - COC, THC, PCP, AMP, and Opiates. There are two types of 5-panel urine screen tests: an instant digital readout and a strip that sticks onto your finger for testing later on in the day.
Let's learn everything there is to know about a DOT 5-panel urine test.
Table Of Contents:
- Statistics And Facts Of A DOT 5-Panel Urine Drug Test
- The Purpose Of A DOT 5-Panel Drug Test
- The Procedure For The DOT 5-Panel Urine Drug Test
- How Far Back Does A DOT Urine Drug Test Go?
- Significance Of DOT 5-Panel Urine Drug Test
DOT 5-Panel Urine Drug Test - Statistics And Facts
The DOT 5-panel urine drug test is a standard form of drug test recommended by many public and private companies all over the United States. The statistics of this urine test are essential when facing a DOT 5-panel drug test, as it can help determine whether you will fail or pass if you have used illegal drugs.
According to some trusted sources, the DOT 5-panel urine drug test is 81% accurate for detecting illegal substances and used to see MMJ usage. The DOT 5-panel urine drug screen is one of the most commonly used urine tests conducted for commercial driver's license applicants.
The most significant problem that occurs with the DOT 5-panel urine drug test comes from the possibility of someone faking it when they've only taken minimal amounts of illegal drugs.
The Purpose Of A DOT 5-Panel Drug Test
A DOT 5-panel urine drug test is used to detect the usage of illegal drugs through the use of your urine. The screening is done by the use of a specific panel for which it can help identify and detect other substances such as opiates, amphetamines, cocaine, phencyclidine, as well as MMJ.
It's also used in cases that involve an accident or during an investigation. A drug test can be performed on a valid driver's license that contains a date of birth and might not be considered good if the person was not born in the United States.
The Procedure For The DOT 5-Panel Urine Drug Test
The test consists of gathering a sample of your urine, taking that sample, and then sending it to an independent drug testing laboratory to detect prohibited substances.
The lab receives the urine sample and conducts the analysis using its proprietary algorithms to detect drugs in that sample. The lab will then evaluate the sample and provide the results reviewed by a Medical Review Officer.
How Far Back Does A DOT Urine Drug Test Go?
A DOT 5-panel urine drug test is used to detect illegal drugs that might impair you in any way. The test itself can go back a few days when a medical professional has drug testing capabilities.
However, a DOT 5-panel urine drug test is inaccurate if a person has recently used MMJ. It detects metabolites and only works correctly if the person has not smoked or consumed any of the same in at least 90 days before the test.
Furthermore, a 5-panel urine drug test can be used within 70 days of a positive marijuana test, so it's essential to stay off for at least that long even if you still want to get behind the wheel.
Significance Of DOT 5-Panel Urine Drug Test
The DOT 5-Panel Urine Drug Test may be conducted during the following circumstances
- Pre-Employment Transportation Job/ Safety-sensitive job
- Random drug testing
- Post-Accident DOT drug testing
- Return-to-Duty Drug Testing
In the United States, the Department of Transportation is one of the leading organizations deputized to perform drug testing. Suppose a person has had an accident or has been arrested for driving under the influence, there's a possibility that they might be tested for drugs if police officers suspect them of having consumed illegal substances.
Additionally, the Department of Transportation holds the drug testing records in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. It allows for a DOT 5-panel urine test to be done on any person that might need it for a job or any other reason.
Moreover, if you are on probation and have a positive test of any kind, a DOT 5-panel urine drug test might not be accepted. In some cases, police officers can pull you over for a DOT 5-panel urine drug test, so make sure you know how to pass it.
If a person is involved in an accident, a DOT 5-panel urine drug test can be used to determine whether or not a person has consumed illicit drugs during their job.
If you have failed your DOT 5-panel urine drug test, the Department of Transportation can deny anyone getting a commercial driver's license.
If someone is disqualified from a DOT 5-panel urine drug test and has only consumed a tiny amount of drugs, they will be able to apply for an extended license after 90 days.
Conclusion
You will need to pass your DOT 5-panel urine drug test to get a commercial driver's license. The test is used to detect any illegal substance in your system, including alcohol, MMJ, and anything else that might impair your performance on the road.
The DOT 5-panel urine drug test can be used to determine whether you have been using drugs in the past, as well as for deciding whether or not your body is in a fit state for driving at that moment.
