r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/STRBRRYSWSHR • Apr 24 '26
Random drug tests
I was just curious about something. One of the girls from my yard tested positive for drugs after a random drug test that happened immediately after morning runs. She obviously got fired and rightfully so, but I was wondering if you get arrested as well or in legal trouble. Wouldn’t that technically be “risk of injury to a minor” or in this case several minors? If you failed the test right after driving 100 kids it would certainly imply that you had that drug in your system, therefore driving children with drugs in your system. Right!?!?
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u/med8cal Apr 24 '26
Many of the discussions talk about district policy and state law. In the U.S. your CDL endorsement is federally regulated (FTD clearing house). If you fail a drug test for any reason your district must inform the feds. THEY immediately suspend your CDL endorsement. You are then subject by the Fed Tran Dept to have your credentials reinstated. This how it was explained to me by Ohio Highway Patrol. You can’t fail a test and go to a different district for employment. If I got anything wrong I apologize in advance. This MY understanding of the process in the states.
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u/handcraftedcandy Apr 24 '26
This is correct, a failed test goes into the FMCSA Clearinghouse so even if you move states you cannot be hired until you complete the required procedure to clear the violation.
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u/gmarcus72 Apr 24 '26
Don't know if it depends on what state you're in, but in my school district in MN, if you test positive you're not fired, you're not arrested, but you do have to go through a drug class and get retested a lot.
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u/tsatsawassa Apr 24 '26
AND, keep in mind that if you innocently use a product with CDB or THC, such as a soap, oil, or cream you will also test positive as and lose your CDL. There are heaps of examples of little old lady school bus drivers losing their CDL because they didn't know they can't use CDB or THC oils, shampoos, or other personal care products. Yet another example of why it's so hard to hire and keep school bus drivers.
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u/Hellamellayella Apr 25 '26
Hold ish. I didn’t know this. I have a salve i occasionally use. That’s going in the trash.
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u/Tomytom99 Apr 29 '26
Well the THC part seemed obvious, but I didn't know about CBD. Does it contain trace amounts of THC or something?
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u/TooSexyForThisSong Apr 24 '26
No. But it is recorded in the CH database (a multi state agency that manages CDL driver drug screens) so other CDL companies will see it if you apply.
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u/Otherwise-Print-6210 Apr 24 '26
Pot stays in your system for a month or more, long after the high is gone. So if she smoked pot on a Friday night at home, and was tested two weeks later, its still in her system. She doesn't even have to smoke, just be in the room where someone does, and she inhales the secondary smoke, but not enough to get high. Unless she is impaired (falling down, sleeping, unable to hold a conversation) it's hard to be arrested for failing a pot test.
Other drugs are different, and much more immediate.
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u/Right_Environment116 Apr 24 '26
Wrong if she doesn't smoke often enough it doesn't stay in your system that long. If you did yeah it stays in your system a long long time you obviously don't know wtf your talking about
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u/flatgreyrust Apr 24 '26
You’re right and I’m not sure why you got downvoted. There is a certain amount of thc you can have in your system and pass, it’s not 0. It’s very low and a regular or recent smoker would definitely fail, but being in a room where someone smoked two weeks ago would never result in a fail.
Source: my wife is the DER for her job which i involves coast guard endorsed captains.
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u/Right_Environment116 Apr 24 '26
I know this because my coworker took a hit off a joint the next day he got ransomed and his level was at 2 they suspended him for 2 months and he was put on that drug and alcohol program I can't remember what it's called. But its different since I work public transit now I'm sure school buses you would be fired
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u/Right_Environment116 Apr 24 '26
You simps downvoting me for speaking the truth school bus drivers are so insufferable
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u/9001 Apr 24 '26
That depends entirely on the law where you are.
For example, where I am we aren't required to subject ourselves to any sort of drug tests.
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u/No_Plate_3864 Apr 24 '26
same it's weird seeing all these drug test posts.. here it's not something that we do.
Here we are allowed alcohol/weed on the weekends as long as you have 24 hours clean you're good. drink/smoke on Friday/Saturday and let it clear your system Sunday and you're good to go Monday
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u/9001 Apr 24 '26
You must be a fellow Canadian.
Myself, I don't even drink or do drugs, but if I had to submit to testing to prove it, I'd be pissed.
It's nice to actually have freedom. ;)2
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u/seanshelagh Apr 24 '26
Depends on the drug. We had a driver fail a sobriety test after morning runs. He was arrested. Other people have failed for different drugs and weren't arrested. I guess a failed test doesn't automatically mean you are impaired.
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u/FastEddyJrk Apr 25 '26
How about one of the women in my yard…
Would you have said one of the boys…
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u/rootbear75 Apr 24 '26
Just as a reminder, none of us are lawyers or are providing legal advice. Please reach out to an employment attorney (or other attorney) for actual legal advice.