Trash Haulers Get Pass on Drug Tests for In-House Driver Swaps
Published Date: 5/13/2026
Notice
Summary
Waste Management Holdings got a two-year partial green light to skip some drug testing and driver checks when moving drivers between their own companies. This means less paperwork and testing for drivers who’ve already been tested recently, but they still have to follow key safety rules. The changes start May 13, 2026, and aim to keep roads safe while making driver transfers smoother and quicker.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Exemptions Apply to 83 Affiliates With Conditions
The exemptions apply to WM and the 83 listed WM affiliate motor carriers and their drivers from May 13, 2026 until May 13, 2028. The exemptions carry conditions: all affiliates must comply with other FMCSRs, ensure drivers meet 49 CFR 391.11 and part 382, be enrolled in WM's Employment Screening Program and licensing monitoring, and the exemptions are automatically rescinded for all affiliates if any affiliate receives a final Unsatisfactory FMCSA safety rating.
Transfers Treated as Single-Employer
Starting May 13, 2026 through May 13, 2028, Waste Management (WM) may treat drivers transferred among its affiliates as "single-employer drivers" for periods of seven or more days. That means WM does not have to repeat the full driver-qualification file process each time a driver moves between WM affiliates, provided WM still keeps required documentation and ensures drivers meet 49 CFR 391.11 qualifications.
Limited Drug-Test Exception for Enrolled Drivers
FMCSA allows WM to skip the pre-employment controlled substances test for a driver being transferred among WM affiliates if the driver was continuously enrolled in any WM random controlled-substances testing pool for at least the previous 12 months. WM may also use the existing 49 CFR 382.301(b) exception if the driver participated in a WM testing program within the previous 30 days and either was tested within the past six months or was in the random pool for the prior 12 months.
Limited Clearinghouse Query Allowed for Transfers
From May 13, 2026 to May 13, 2028 WM may run a limited Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query — not a full query — when transferring a driver between WM affiliates. If the limited query shows any information about the driver in the Clearinghouse, the driver cannot perform safety-sensitive functions until a subsequent full query shows the driver is not prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
Blanket Exemptions Denied — Pre-Employment Rules Remain
FMCSA denied WM's request for a blanket exemption from the pre-employment controlled-substances testing requirement (49 CFR 382.301(a)) and the full Clearinghouse query requirement (49 CFR 382.701(a)). Except for the limited, specific exceptions granted above, pre-employment testing and full Clearinghouse queries remain required.
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