New DOT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Part 40 – Should the DOT Add Fentanyl to the DOT Drug Panel?
DOT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Issued
On September 2, 2025 the DOT issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comments on proposals to update 49 CFR Part 40 requirements to include adding Fentanyl to the Federal Drug Testing Panel for USDOT regulated drug testing.
The proposals in the DOT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking include:
- Add Fentanyl and norfentanyl to the testing panels,
- Adjust laboratory morphine confirmatory cutoff (urine only),
- Remove the additional requirement for MROs to determine clinical evidence of illegal opioid (codeine and morphine use for urine and oral fluid),
- Add and modify certain definitions,
- Authorize biomarker testing,
- Modify analyte nomenclature for marijuana (urine and oral fluid),
- Revise footnote #1 to both testing panels to include more specific and updated criteria for alternate technology initial drug tests,
- Add a 30-day requirement for drug collectors, STTs, and BATS within which to complete the required training and mock collections,
- Adding a new ‘fatal flaw’ related to oral fluid specimens,
- Modify several provisions related to oral fluid specimens,
- Add clarifying language to other provisions (such as oral fluid collector training, SAP documents, and shy bladder/dry mouth procedures),
- Various technical amendments.
If you would like to read the proposals you can find it at 2025-16720.pdf
The Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance does review all comments prior to issuing a Notice of Final Rulemaking. If you would like to submit your comments to the proposals you can submit them at Regulations.gov
Comments to the DOT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking closes on October 17, 2025.
AZC Drug Testing is your trusted partner in USDOT regulated drug and alcohol testing programs. Please learn more about our program at DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Compliance Services.