You did everything right. You completed your SAP evaluation. You finished treatment. You got cleared for your return-to-duty test. And then the phone rings with news that drops your stomach to the floor: your RTD test came back positive.
It’s the kind of news that makes drivers question everything—their recovery, their career, their future behind the wheel. But here’s what you need to know: this isn’t the end of the road. It’s a harder road, yes. A longer one. But it’s not a dead end.
Table of Contents
- What a Positive RTD Test Means Under Federal Law
- Why This Happens (Common Causes)
- The Financial and Career Impact
- What Happens in the Clearinghouse
- Your Path Forward
- How to Prevent This
- FAQ
What a Positive RTD Test Means Under Federal Law
Under 49 CFR Part 40, a positive return-to-duty test isn’t just a failed test—it’s a brand new DOT drug and alcohol regulation violation. The same regulations that got you here in the first place now apply again.
According to federal regulations, “a verified positive DOT drug test result… constitutes a DOT drug and alcohol regulation violation.” This means the positive RTD test creates a second violation entry in the FMCSA Clearinghouse. Your prohibited status doesn’t just continue—it resets with a new violation date.
The DOT doesn’t allow for second chances on the RTD test itself. There’s no “retest tomorrow” option. A positive result triggers the entire return-to-duty process to start over from Step 1.
Why This Happens: Common Causes of Positive RTD Tests
Drivers fail RTD tests for several reasons, and not all of them involve recent drug use.
Active substance use is the most straightforward cause. Some drivers underestimate detection windows or believe they’ve waited long enough after their last use.
Detection window miscalculation catches many drivers off guard. THC, for example, can remain detectable for 30+ days in regular users—sometimes longer. Drivers who completed treatment weeks ago may still test positive.
Prescription medication issues occur when drivers don’t properly disclose medications to the Medical Review Officer (MRO) or when they’re taking controlled substances that weren’t cleared for safety-sensitive work.
Relapse during the RTD process happens more often than anyone wants to admit. The stress of lost income, family pressure, and uncertainty can trigger setbacks even after completing treatment.
The Financial and Career Impact
Every day you’re prohibited from driving costs you $300 or more in lost earnings. A positive RTD test doesn’t just extend that timeline—it resets the clock entirely.
| Scenario | Estimated Additional Time | Additional Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Clean RTD Test | Return to work in 3-7 days | $165 TPA fee + test site fee |
| Positive RTD Test | 60-180+ days (new SAP process) | $2,000-$12,000+ for new treatment |
| Second positive RTD | May face permanent employment barriers | Incalculable career damage |
The national average for SAP services in 2025 is around $500 for the evaluation alone. Treatment programs can range from $500 for education-only programs to $10,000+ for intensive outpatient or residential treatment. And that’s on top of the income you’re not earning.
What Happens in the Clearinghouse
When your RTD test comes back positive, here’s the sequence of events:
Within 3 business days: Your employer or C/TPA must report the positive result to the FMCSA Clearinghouse. This creates a new violation record.
Your status: You remain “prohibited” from performing safety-sensitive functions. With the November 2024 Clearinghouse II rules now in effect, your state DMV will be notified, and your CDL is subject to automatic downgrade.
The process resets: You must complete a new SAP evaluation, follow a new treatment plan, get cleared again, and take another RTD test—this time with a negative result.
The Clearinghouse will now show two violations: your original violation and the positive RTD test. Both will remain on your record for five years from the date of each violation.
Your Path Forward
A positive RTD test is devastating, but it’s not career-ending. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: The entire process essentially resets. Because a failed RTD test is considered a new violation, you are required to start the SAP process from Step 1. Being a new violation you can choose to use the SAP or choose a new one.
Step 2: Be honest about what happened. Your SAP needs accurate information to help you. Whether it was a relapse, a prescription issue, or something else entirely, full disclosure leads to better outcomes.
Step 3: Complete the new treatment requirements. Your SAP will likely prescribe additional or more intensive treatment. Complete every requirement without shortcuts.
Step 4: When cleared, work with a professional TPA. Once your SAP clears you for another RTD test, don’t take chances. A Third Party Administrator like our $165 service ensures your test is properly scheduled, conducted, and reported to the Clearinghouse.
How to Prevent This from Happening
If you haven’t taken your RTD test yet, learn from others’ mistakes:
Be honest with yourself about your readiness. If you’re not confident you’ll pass, talk to your SAP. Better to delay and get more support than to fail and start over.
Know your detection windows. Ask your treatment provider about realistic timelines for your specific situation.
Disclose all medications. Before your test, ensure the MRO knows about every prescription you’re taking—and verify those prescriptions don’t disqualify you from safety-sensitive work.
Stay connected to your recovery support. The period between completing treatment and taking your RTD test is high-risk. Don’t white-knuckle it alone.
The Road Back
A positive RTD test feels like the system has defeated you. But here’s the truth that doesn’t get said often enough: the fact that you’re reading this means you’re still fighting for your career. That matters.
Thousands of drivers have recovered from positive RTD tests. It takes longer. It costs more. It requires deeper commitment to recovery. But the same CDL that feels impossibly out of reach today can be back in your hands—if you’re willing to do the work.
James Kevin Shea, LPC, has spent 35+ years helping drivers navigate the DOT system—including those facing the hardest situations. When you’re ready to try again, professional TPA services can help ensure your next RTD test is scheduled quickly and reported correctly.
Ready to start your recovery? Call or text (843) 327-4444 or schedule your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I request a retest if my RTD test comes back positive?
Under DOT regulations, a verified positive test result is final. You can request a split specimen test within 72 hours, but if that also confirms positive, you must begin the SAP process again. There’s no option for a simple retest.
Q: Will my employer find out about the positive RTD test?
Yes. The positive result must be reported to the Clearinghouse within 3 business days. Any employer who runs a Clearinghouse query will see both your original violation and the positive RTD test.
Q: Can I get a different SAP after a positive RTD test?
Yes, if a driver has a new violation, the driver can choose the same SAP or a different SAP. Once the SAP puts the follow up eval date in the Clearinghouse (Step 4), the driver is no longer under that SAP. The only responsibility of the SAP after successfully completing the driver during the follow up eval is to maintain his SAP documents and send them to a new employer when the driver signs a release.
Q: How long before I can take another RTD test?
There’s no set timeline. You must complete whatever treatment your SAP prescribes, get re-evaluated, and receive clearance before scheduling another RTD test. This typically takes 60-180+ days depending on your treatment requirements.
Q: Does a positive RTD test count as a second violation?
Yes. It creates a separate violation record in the Clearinghouse. You’ll now have two violations on your record, each retained for five years from its respective violation date.
Every day prohibited costs you $300+. Don’t navigate this alone. Contact us for guidance on your next steps.
