What is on the DOT 5-panel?
The DOT 5-panel is the federally regulated drug-testing panel for transportation safety-sensitive employees, defined by 49 CFR Part 40 and the Mandatory Guidelines . As of July 7, 2025, it includes THC, cocaine, opioids (with semi-synthetics), fentanyl/norfentanyl, amphetamines (including MDMA/MDA), and PCP.
Who the DOT panel applies to
DOT-regulated drug testing applies to safety-sensitive employees in transportation industries:
- FMCSA — commercial motor vehicle drivers
- FAA — pilots, flight attendants, dispatchers, mechanics, controllers, and others
- FRA — railroad workers
- FTA — transit workers
- PHMSA — pipeline workers
- USCG — vessel crew members
What's in the DOT 5-panel
Federal cutoff levels
The Mandatory Guidelines specify both screening (immunoassay) and confirmation cutoffs. These cutoffs apply uniformly across SAMHSA-certified laboratories and are the basis for the result reported to the MRO.
| Analyte | Screen | Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| THCA (cannabinoid metabolite) | 50 ng/mL | 15 ng/mL |
| Benzoylecgonine | 150 ng/mL | 100 ng/mL |
| Codeine / morphine / 6-AM | 2000 ng/mL | 2000 ng/mL |
| Hydrocodone / hydromorphone | 300 ng/mL | 100 ng/mL |
| Oxycodone / oxymorphone | 100 ng/mL | 100 ng/mL |
| Fentanyl / norfentanyl | 1 ng/mL | 1 ng/mL |
| Amphetamine / methamphetamine | 500 ng/mL | 250 ng/mL |
| MDMA / MDA | 500 ng/mL | 250 ng/mL |
| Phencyclidine (PCP) | 25 ng/mL | 25 ng/mL |
- Federal panel updated July 7, 2025 to add fentanyl and norfentanyl.
- Oral-fluid testing authorized as a urine alternative in 2023, pending HHS lab certification.
2025 update — fentanyl added
Oral fluid as an alternative specimen
In 2023, DOT issued a final rule authorizing oral fluid as an alternative to urine under 49 CFR Part 40. Implementation depends on HHS-certified laboratories becoming available to perform oral-fluid testing. The DOT 5-panel composition applies to oral fluid as well as urine.
The DOT program flow
A defensible DOT program includes:
- Pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing as defined by Part 40 and the relevant DOT agency's operational rule (e.g., FMCSA Part 382).
- Collection at a certified site by a trained collector using the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (CCF).
- Analysis at a SAMHSA-certified laboratory.
- Review of every non-negative result by a qualified Medical Review Officer (MRO) .
- Reporting of verified results to the Designated Employer Representative (DER).
- Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) evaluation and return-to-duty process when applicable.
Alcohol testing under Part 40
DOT alcohol testing is a separate process from drug testing. It uses breath alcohol testing by certified Breath Alcohol Technicians (BATs) on Evidential Breath Testers (EBTs), with confirmation at or above 0.02 BrAC and a 0.04 BrAC threshold for prohibited use. See breath alcohol testing for the operational details.
Frequently asked questions
The DOT 5-panel is the federally regulated drug-testing panel for transportation safety-sensitive employees, defined by 49 CFR Part 40 and the SAMHSA Mandatory Guidelines. As of July 7, 2025, it includes THC, cocaine, opioids (with semi-synthetics), fentanyl/norfentanyl, amphetamines (including MDMA/MDA), and PCP.
50 ng/mL screen, 15 ng/mL confirmation (THC-COOH).
Sources & references
drugtest.co content is sourced from primary regulatory and clinical references. We do not cite gray-market or "how to pass" sources.
- 49 CFR Part 40 — Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs
- Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (Urine)
- Final Notice — Addition of Fentanyl and Norfentanyl to Federal Workplace Drug Testing Panels
- Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug Testing Programs: Addition of Oral Fluid Specimen Testing