When is a CDL driver required to submit to a post-crash drug and alcohol test?

A CDL driver is required to submit to a post-crash drug and alcohol test when the crash results in certain specific criteria being met, including when a vehicle is towed from the scene. This requirement is outlined in federal regulations designed to ensure safety on the road and to deter substance abuse among commercial drivers.

When a vehicle is towed, it typically indicates a significant incident that may have involved injury or property damage, escalating concerns about the driver's fitness for operation. The requirement also emphasizes accountability and the importance of maintaining public safety around commercial driving. In practice, this means that the mere act of towing can trigger a test, as the situation is serious enough to warrant further investigation into the driver’s condition at the time of the incident.

The criteria for post-crash testing are meant to encompass various situations where the risk of impaired driving might have had significant repercussions, and they are all critical in protecting the safety of the public. While injuries or severe damage might also necessitate testing, the vehicle towing criterion on its own is sufficient to trigger the requirement, highlighting the serious nature of any incident involving commercial vehicles.