What Drugs Are on a DOT Drug Test?

Short answer: The DOT drug test is a 5-panel urine test that screens for marijuana (THC), cocaine, opiates, amphetamines/methamphetamine, and phencyclidine (PCP).

The DOT 5-panel explained

• Marijuana (THC): Cannabis and cannabis products. CBD can also trigger a positive if it contains THC.
• Cocaine: Cocaine and its metabolites.
• Opiates: Codeine, morphine, heroin, and semi-synthetic opioids including hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone.
• Amphetamines: Amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and MDA.
• Phencyclidine (PCP): Sometimes called "angel dust."

What's NOT on the DOT panel

The DOT 5-panel does not screen for alcohol (alcohol uses a separate breath or saliva test), benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone, fentanyl, or kratom. Employers can require a non-DOT panel for those substances, but the DOT test itself is limited to the 5 categories above.

What about CBD?

CBD products are not screened directly, but many contain trace THC. If that THC pushes you over the cutoff, you'll test positive for marijuana — and the MRO will not accept "it was CBD" as a valid medical explanation. Avoid CBD if you're a CDL driver.

What about prescriptions?

If you have a valid prescription for a flagged medication (e.g., prescribed opioids or amphetamine-based ADHD medication), the Medical Review Officer (MRO) will contact you and verify the prescription before reporting the result.

Cutoff levels

HHS sets specific cutoff concentrations for each substance. A result below the cutoff is reported as negative even if trace amounts are present.