Reasonable Suspicion Training of CDL Drivers – [Full Video Kit]

(8 customer reviews)

$229.00

If you employ Commercial Drivers, then your Manager and Supervisors need to know how to handle “Reasonable Suspicion” testing situations. If you have a Commercial driver’s License holder, then you know that testing for suspected drug or alcohol use is a Department of Transportation and CMCSA requirement.  That is why this DOT Reasonable Suspicion Training is so important.  It will teach your management team how to proceed when a reasonable suspicion for testing issues comes into play.

Reasonable Suspicion Training – Included Discussion Points:

  • What is reasonable suspicion, and why is it important for Commercial Drivers and their employers? (the most obvious one is that drugs and alcohol impair driving abilities)
  • What does Reasonable Suspicion testing allow the employer to accomplish:
    1. It allows managers to take action if they feel a driver is under the influence, even if they don’t have hard evidence to prove it
    2. It allows the employer to take visual cues, like the employee’s behavior or appearance, to provide clues that a driver might be using or abusing drugs or alcohol
    3. Referring the employee for testing helps identify those employees who might need help but also prevents the driver from getting behind the wheel where they might cause an accident.
    4. The Reasonable Suspicion testing program also protects an employer or motor carrier from the potential of legal or financial liability or the lowering of their safety rating with FMCSA
  • What are some areas that Managers might struggle with Reasonable Suspicion when it comes to employees, how to handle these situations, etc:
    1. It might lead to an employee being angry at the Manager for referring him or her for testing for drug or alcohol influence
    2. It might raise privacy issues or lead to the employee filing a complaint
    3. It might lead to future problems between the employee and their manager
  • What happens after a reasonable suspicion determination has been made?

Other Topics Covered in this DOT Reasonable Suspicion Training:

  • The above reasons are why implementing a Reasonable Suspicion training program with your managers is so important (that’s where this training comes in)
  • What does the FMCSA specify about the types of observations that would lead to “reasonable suspicion determination” to send a driver for testing? (The FMCSA states that to meet the threshold of “reasonable suspicion”, a referral for testing must be based on “specific, contemporaneous, articulable observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech or body odors of the driver)
  • What are some examples of things NOT to base a reasonable suspicion testing on? (an example would be you should never make a drug testing referral based on a “gut feeling” or “intuition” about an employee. Instead, your suspicion must be based on how that employee looks, acts, smells or talks)
  • What are some other examples of a scenario where reasonable suspicion for alcohol or substance abuse might be indicated?  These are called “specific” observations by the FMCSA:
    1. The employee is using breath mints all the time (not a dead giveaway by any means but it instead is a “clue”)
    2. The employee is laughing unexplainably or without cause
    3. The driver is talking fast, erratic, or isn’t making sense with their speech
    4. The driver might have an odor of alcohol or marijuana or other signs of drug abuse or alcohol abuse
  • What are the best practices a Manager should follow when referring an employee for testing?
  • How should managers document their suspicions when referring an employee for testing?
  • What does contemporaneous mean when it comes to reasonable suspicion?
  • Can or should you refer a driver for drug or alcohol testing if another employee states they observed them using? (No, because per FMCSA you have to see them for yourself, firsthand and in person, and also, they must be “contemporaneous,” which is a judgment by the Manager/Employer about the facts of the driver and the way they look or act at the present time)
  • What does “articulable” mean when it comes to DOT Reasonable Suspicion?  (it means the Manager or Employer must be able to articulate exactly what they saw, heard, or smelled on the employee and put that documentation in writing when making the referral for testing)
  • Are there Federal laws that “require” an employer to take action if they suspect their commercial driver has a problem or is under the influence? (Yes, the law requires the employer to refer the driver for an immediate drug or alcohol test)

Key Points in This Reasonable Suspicion Training That Managers Need to Know and Learn:

  • How can Managers learn to recognize signs of drug or alcohol use or abuse?
  • What clues does an employee’s change in personality provide if any?
  • What are some signs that a driver might be under the influence of alcohol? (since it is a depressant, alcohol users might appear drowsy, slur their speech, have difficulty with balance, etc.)
  • What are some signs that a commercial driver might be using drugs? (stimulants such as methamphetamine or cocaine increase the user’s metabolism so they might exhibit agitation, tremors, excessive talking, etc.)
  • How should Managers prepare to send a driver for reasonable suspicion testing? (They need to have a thorough knowledge of the Company’s drug & alcohol policy, and they need to be aware of the federal drug and alcohol testing regulations)
  • What is the reasonable suspicion process, and why must it be followed?
  • What is a “self-admission” by an employee they are using drugs or alcohol, and what should the Manager do in that case?
  • and much more

To keep a compliant and safe workplace, your Managers and Supervisors need Reasonable Suspicion training.  This helps keep the employer from liability, keeps the employee safe, and helps prevent alcohol or drug-related accidents.  This Reasonable Suspicion Training Video will teach your managers the ins and outs of this DOT requirement.   Available as an English or Spanish-speaking DVD or USB Stick, the runtime of the training is 16 minutes.

Reasonable Suspicion Training Video – Full Length Preview:

https://player.vimeo.com/video/556373299

All of our training videos include the following additional resources:

1) A Leader’s Guide

The person giving the training can use the Guide to help facilitate the training and provide additional verbal support to the video. It also includes a sample outline for the training session along with the highlights of the course.

2) An Employee Quiz

Important to be able to test your trainees to make sure they understand and comprehend the training course they just watched.  This is also good for employer documentation for safety training of employees.

3) Answer Key to the Quiz

Ensures the questions are being answered correctly.

4) An Attendance Sheet

Allows you to keep track of who was trained, when the training occurred, who was the instructor, etc. Excellent documentation to prove your training requirements are in order.

5) A Printable “Certificate of Completion”

Allows you to give one to each employee who attends the safety training session.  Can also be kept in an employee file for training documentation.

Purchases made before 7:00 pm EST will be shipped out the same business day!

You will receive a tracking number for your package via email within a few hours of placing your order. Shipping is a flat $12.00.

8 reviews for Reasonable Suspicion Training of CDL Drivers – [Full Video Kit]

4.6
Based on 8 reviews
5 star
62
62%
4 star
37
37%
3 star
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1 star
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1-5 of 8 reviews
  1. Helped improve our drivers’ awareness about what happens if they are possibly under the influence (hint, it’s not good). This was also a good price for what you get.

    (0) (0)
  2. Very helpful in meeting compliance requirements.

    (0) (0)
  3. Well done

    (0) (0)
  4. Really good information that all drivers need to understand. Messing around with drugs or alcohol can cost you your job real quick in this industry. Filled with good information for our staff.

    (0) (0)
  5. Excellent training for CDL drivers as well as managerial staff.

    (0) (0)
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