Government Sets 2025 Random Drug Test Quotas for Train Workers
Published Date: 1/3/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting January 3, 2025, railroad workers in covered service, maintenance, and mechanical jobs will keep the same minimum random drug and alcohol testing rates as 2024. This means 25% drug and 10% alcohol testing for most workers, but mechanical employees face higher rates at 50% drug and 25% alcohol testing. No cost changes were announced, but railroads can always test more if they want.
Free Policy Watch
New rules are filed every week. Most people never see them.
Pick a topic. PRIA watches every federal rule and tells you when one hits your household.
Pick a topic to get started
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Mechanical Employees Face Higher Rates
If you are a mechanical (MECH) railroad employee, for the period January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 you are subject to minimum annual random testing of 50% for drugs and 25% for alcohol. These rates remain at the higher levels set when MECH employees first became subject to FRA testing.
Covered Service Testing Rates Unchanged
If you work in covered service on a railroad, for the period January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 you are subject to minimum annual random testing of 25% for drugs and 10% for alcohol. These minimums are the same as the rates used in 2024.
Maintenance-of-Way Testing Rates Unchanged
If you are a maintenance-of-way (MOW) railroad employee, for the period January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 you are subject to minimum annual random testing of 25% for drugs and 10% for alcohol. These minimums remain the same as in 2024.
Rates Are Minimums; Employers May Test More
The announced percentages are minimum annual random testing rates, and railroads and railroad contractors may conduct random drug and alcohol testing at higher rates than those minimums. Employers therefore can choose to test employees more frequently than the listed rates.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in