Will My CDL Be Suspended If I Fail a Drug Test? What You Need to Know

Cindy Ellis - February 7, 2025

Commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) are important if you want to drive commercially. They enable you to transport hazardous waste, people, or even goods across the United States. While you have to pass a road test like you do for any other license, it doesn’t stop there. In order to be eligible for a CDL, you might have to pass a background check, and it’s highly possible that a drug test will also be involved.

While passing the initial drug screening and being granted your CDL will feel like a big moment, most drivers are subject to multiple screenings, so you might be wondering – will my CDL be suspended if I fail a drug test? The short answer is that it’s possible, but it’s a lot more complicated than that.

We take you through everything you need to know about drug tests and commercial driver’s licenses. Read on to learn more.

What Is a CDL? 

A CDL is a commercial driver’s license. You’ll need this license to operate heavy machinery in the United States, along with the transportation of goods or people. There are many different types of CDL options, and they tend to be broken into different classes. 

Depending on your needs, you’ll want to study for the necessary exam and road test for your specific CDL requirements. For example, a Class C CDL has stricter requirements than a Class A CDL due to Class C vehicles being larger or carrying more people.

That said, CDLs are similar to traditional licenses in most other aspects. You’ll need one to drive a specific vehicle, and if you don’t have one, you can face fines, penalties, and even jail time. This also applies to employers, which is why drug testing, background checks, and looking at someone’s CDL are important.

Is a CDL Suspended After You Fail a Drug Test?

Yes, your CDL is suspended once you fail a drug test – this isn’t your average background check for employment. If you take a drug test with your current employer and fail, this applies to additional employers as well, which is what makes it so hard to get a job after you fail one. Therefore, passing a drug screening is essential if you want to continue to drive people or goods around. Otherwise, you’ll lose your license until you go through the process of getting it back.

It’s also important to note that your license will be suspended if you decline to take a drug test as well. If you’re working a job for the Department of Transportation (DOT) and you fail to provide your license, you will lose your job and have your license suspended as well. Therefore, there’s no easy way around passing the drug test – you simply have to be clean.

Not only can your CDL be suspended after a drug test, but it can also be revoked or permanently terminated. The outcome depends on the state, the type of drug test you failed, and sometimes even how many drug tests you’ve failed. For example, if it’s your third strike, agencies might not be willing to work with you or let you keep your license.

What Does a CDL Drug Screen Test For?

The DOT requires drivers to pass drug tests to ensure that they’re free from drugs that can impact their ability to drive. Therefore, most drug screens for a CDL will look for alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, PCP, and even some opioids. 

There may be some exceptions if you have a prescription for an opioid for pain, but otherwise, you’ll need to be clean of these substances during the drug testing process. It’s important to remain free of these drugs because most companies will test their drivers sporadically.

How Long Does a CDL Suspension Last?

Once your CDL is suspended, you have to wait for a specific period before reinstatement; this rarely happens instantly. The period can be as fast as 30 days, but it often takes a few months or even years to get your license back. 

This is because you need to pass an exam, work with a substance abuse professional, and keep your record clean during the suspension process. Additionally, crimes or having a DUI added to your record can ruin your chances of driving a commercial vehicle permanently, so keep this in mind.

What Happens if an Employer Hires Someone Who’s on the Prohibited List?

One of the biggest hurdles you’ll have to getting hired is being on the prohibited list of drivers. While your employer might not care about the past incidents, the government does, and hefty fines are given to companies that allow people to drive for them. 

In fact, these fines can cost upwards of $25,000 or more. That said, this depends on the state, so it’s not always that price. Additional fines can also be given out or result in the permanent loss of someone’s CDL status.

How to Improve Your Chances of Being Hired After Failing a Drug Test 

Failing a drug screening will limit your employability with a CDL and, in some cases, will result in the termination or suspension of your license. While you won’t be able to get another job right away, that doesn’t mean you can’t be hired later on if you take the right steps toward becoming employable again.

Work With a Substance Abuse Professional 

One of the best ways to improve your chances of being hired is to work with a substance abuse professional (SAP) who specializes in helping people with CDLs who failed a drug test become employable again. This is because they’re one of the few people or groups that can help you get rid of your prohibited status, which you’ll get when you fail a pre-employment drug test for a CDL position. 

Your SAP will also help you pass the required test you need to take to get back into service. Passing the Return-to-Duty Test is an essential part of the process, and while it may seem self-explanatory at times, failing this test will set you back even further.

Substance abuse professionals will cost money, so it’s important to have some set aside to get your license and job back. That said, sometimes you can have your union help cover the costs – you’ll have to check with your union, employer, and state law sometimes.

Check Your Public Records 

When you want to be employed again, you’ll have to go through the background check process, and you’ll want to spot any red flags before they show up during the check. While your failed drug screening will show up, other problems like DUIs, misdemeanors, and other types of moving violations can prevent you from being hired again or getting your CDL back. 

To check your records before you apply, we recommend using our background check tool. This tool will help you discover any issues with your public records or see if you’re still showing up on any prohibition lists for CDL jobs. We always recommend checking your records before applying because it will make it easier to explain any issues. What’s more, being honest and upfront with what shows up on your record can help during the hiring process.

Along with relevant information for CDLs, our tools will help you discover other information as well. You can learn more about:

• Contact information 
• Full name and relatives 
• Social media tools 
• Employment history 
• Education history 
• Criminal records 
• Sex offender status 
• Civil court records
• Military records 

Since you can find anything that’s publicly available when you search with Information.com, we always recommend running a check on yourself before you apply to a new position.

Final Thoughts About CDLs and Drug Tests 

After you fail a drug test, it might seem like employability is in the distant future, if it’s available at all. The good news is that you don’t have to panic if you fail a drug test, as long as it’s not becoming a constant pattern. You’ll have to pass the Return-to-Duty Test, make sure your record is clean, and work with a substance abuse professional, but there should be plenty of opportunities in your future once you take the necessary steps toward recovery. 

Every state and job is different, so we always recommend calling ahead and being open about your history of failed drug tests. Doing so can prevent you from wasting time or sinking additional resources into a job you won’t be able to land anyway.