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The Global Insight

What drug do truck drivers take?

Author

Christopher Ramos

Updated on April 05, 2026

By far the most common drug that truckers use while driving is marijuana. DOT officials noted that the increasing legalization of the drug in many states may make it more available and accessible. Marijuana can cause symptoms similar to alcohol, decreasing concentration and spurring a feeling of sleepiness.

Is a truck driver a bad job?

“It has long working hours, lots of sitting, poor nutrition, social isolation, shift work, time pressure, low levels of job control, all in addition to the risk of road crashes,” he said. In his early days on the job, he did a lot of heavy lifting doing deliveries.

Why do truckers use Chippewas air freshener?

Freshen up with Chippewa’s Fragrant Zone liquid air freshener. Freshens the air and neutralizes odors. Fragrant Zone is a tantalizing air perfume that works directly on strong, undesirable odors. To use, apply to a sponge or towel and place under the seat of the vehicle.

How do I start driving a truck?

6 Steps to Becoming a Truck Driver

  1. Research the Job & See if it Would Be Right for You.
  2. Review Requirements.
  3. Find a Driving School.
  4. Go to Truck Driving School to Get Your CDL A.
  5. Get Hired.
  6. Complete Your Employer’s Training & Orientation.

Why is truck driving so dangerous?

Truck Driving or trucking is the transportation or conveyance of goods by truck. Truck driving is dangerous because it accounts for one of every four fatal accidents. This is due to various reasons including over fatigue that can lead to drivers falling asleep.

What happens if you fail a drug test as a truck driver?

So, basically, if a truck driver fails a drug test, Medical Review Officers might not tolerate the results even if he or she has a valid medical marijuana prescription. More and more states are continuing to legalize the use of marijuana, leaving the major trucking organizations in a tricky position.

Can a truck driver use marijuana as medicine?

This essentially prevents truckers from ever using marijuana as medicine, despite the studies that show its success as an opioid alternative. One issue is that even if a driver smoked legally in their home-state and wasn’t impaired at the time of testing, they could fail a blood test and be charged as impaired anyway.

Can you get a job after a failed drug test?

Yes, it is possible to get a DOT-regulated job after a failed pre-employment drug test. In order to do this, you must complete a Return-to-Duty process outlined by a DOT qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).

Can a CDL driver go back to safety-sensitive work?

You cannot prohibit the CDL driver from coming back to work while waiting for the test to be analyzed., but you can set a policy that the employee is to ‘stand-down’ (not perform safety-sensitive functions) until the test results are known.