Return to Duty Program
How can DATCS help you get back to work with our Independent Return-to-Duty Program?
What is a return to duty program?
If a commercial driver violates federal drug or alcohol rules, they are banned from performing any DOT safety-sensitive functions, like driving, until they complete the official Return-to-Duty (RTD) process. As of November 18, 2024, these federal rules now require State Driver Licensing Agencies to revoke or deny commercial driving privileges for any driver listed as “prohibited” in the Clearinghouse. This means you cannot obtain, renew, or upgrade your CDL until your status is updated back to “not prohibited”.
Ready to get back on the road?
Reach out to our return to duty specialist today!
DATCS offers an independent RTD program to help drivers get back to work by guiding them through the required steps.
Steps to the Return to Duty Process
To get back on the road, you must complete the official FMCSA Return-to-Duty (RTD) process. The first steps involve working directly with a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).
- Request and Designate a SAP: You must select a qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).
- Designate Your SAP: Your SAP must then be formally designated in the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
- Complete Your Initial Assessment: The SAP will conduct an evaluation and provide you with a required plan for education and/or treatment.
- Follow Your SAP’s Plan: After you complete the required plan, the SAP will conduct a follow-up evaluation and determine if you are eligible for the RTD test.
- Take the RTD Drug Test: This is the final, most crucial part of the process where many drivers get stuck. DATCS helps with this step.
- Adhere to Your Follow-Up Program: You will be assigned a series of follow up test by your SAP. Your TPA (DATCS) or your new employer will need to oversee and manage these test, making sure they are all completed and your program is reported as completed in the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
How DATCS Helps in this Process
The DATCS Independent Return-to-Duty Program is designed to get you through the final steps and back to work.
- We Schedule Your Test: As soon as you connect with us, we will schedule your required RTD drug test for you.
- We Handle the Clearinghouse Admin: We will help create your FMCSA Clearinghouse account, enter the required information, and designate DATCS as your Third-Party Administrator (TPA).
- We Report Your Result: We then enter the negative RTD test date into the Clearinghouse, completing the final step of the process.
- We Get Your Status Updated: With that done, your status officially updates to “Driver Not Prohibited,” and you are eligible to have your commercial driving privileges restored.
Follow-Up Testing Support
Our service doesn’t end when your status is cleared. Your SAP will create a follow-up testing plan, and DATCS can manage this entire program for you.
- Simply have your SAP send the follow-up plan to DATCS.
- We will enroll you in our follow-up testing pool.
- You’ll be notified by phone and email when it’s time for a required test.
Get Your Career Back on Track Today
Don’t let a “prohibited” status keep your career parked on the side of the road. You have the power to fix this, and we have the expertise to help.
Contact DATCS today to start your Independent Return-to-Duty Program. Let us handle the final step so you can get your CDL back and return to the driver’s seat.