Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Program

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Drug & Alcohol Testing

Risk Management manages the university's Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) operator alcohol and drug testing program. All departments and their employees in positions requiring a CDL must comply with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations that mandate drug and alcohol testing. Testing is managed by a designated third party administrator, and employing departments are responsible for test costs.

Training requirements

New, transferring and returning CDL employees and their supervisors must complete a mandatory two-hour training on drug and alcohol awareness and university CDL policies every five years. After completion, employees will receive documentation for their department personnel file. Supervisors must complete an additional one-hour session on reasonable suspicion testing.

For questions or to schedule training

Contact the ISU Designated Employer Representative (DER) at cdl@iastate.edu or 515-294-7711.

Pre-employment procedures and testing

Before a department or unit may extend a final offer of employment for a CDL-required position with safety-sensitive functions, a pre-employment drug test must be conducted.

Review testing procedures and requirements

Required pre-hire forms

Authorization and Request for Information (PDF)

Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act (PDF)

Commercial Driver's License - Supplemental Application (PDF)

Motor Vehicle Record Check Authorization request

Iowa DOT Self-Certification (PDF)

Random drug and alcohol testing

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations specify that employees whose jobs require a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and who perform safety-sensitive functions are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Learn about random testing procedures