Recently there has been a lot of talk about DOT drug tests. What is that? How do they differ from just a regular urine drug test? Is there anything that can be used to beat it? These and other questions are usually pop up regarding DOT testing topic. Let us try to make it at least a little bit clearer.

A standard 5-panel urine test will comprise of checks for marijuana (THC), cocaine, opiate, amphetamine and methamphetamine. DOT substitutes methamphetamine testing for PCP (Phencyclidine) testing. Also, there are new cut-off level introduced both for initial (first) testing and confirmatory (second) testing. Every time a sample is collected, it is divided into two parts: one is used for initial testing, the other one – for confirmatory. It may not be necessary that the second part of the sample will be re-tested, but in the case if it is uncertain and to confirm positive or negative further testing is needed – this second part of the same sample is used. This way, if there is a dispute over the validity of the test, lab can show that it did not make a mistake and the results are valid. Also, to determine if the sample is diluted or substituted, lab needs to perform a check for creatinine concentration and specific gravity of the sample. For that – they divide each half of the half of urine sample, so, in essence, each urine sample submitted for the new standard DOT test is divided into four parts. It is good information to consider when preparing to pass a drug test because it may happen that more than 2 ounces may be needed for a urine sample in the near future.