Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-261b. Drug and Alcohol Testing of Drivers of Certain Vehicles, Mechanics and Forklift Operators

(a) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Driver” means an employee driver. Or, it means a contract driver under contract for ninety days or more. Also, this must happen in a period of three hundred sixty-five days.

(2) “Employer” means a person employing or contracting with a driver.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 31-51t to 31-51aa, inclusive, (1) any person employing a driver of a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, operating in intrastate commerce in the state shall require such driver to submit to testing as provided by federal law pursuant to 49 USC 31306 and 49 CFR Parts 382 and 391, and (2) any person employing a driver of a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand and one pounds or more but not more than twenty-six thousand pounds, a mechanic who repairs or services such a vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, or a forklift operator may require such driver, mechanic or operator to submit to testing as provided by federal law pursuant to 49 USC 3102 and 49 CFR Parts 382 and 391.

(c) Any employer who fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty. The penalty consists of one thousand dollars. Also, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles will impose this penalty. This happens after notice and opportunity for a hearing pursuant to the provisions of chapter 54. In addition, the commissioner shall impose a civil penalty. This penalty consists of two thousand five hundred dollars for any subsequent failure to comply by such employer.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-276a(d). School Bus Operators and Operators of Student Transportation Vehicles: Drug Testing

(d) A carrier shall require each person whom it intends to employ to operate a school bus, as defined in section 14-275, or a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212, to submit to a urinalysis drug test in accordance with the provisions of sections 31-51v and 31-51w and shall require each person it employs to operate such vehicles to submit to a urinalysis drug test on a random basis in accordance with the provisions of section 31-51x and the standards set forth in 49 CFR Parts 382 and 391.

No carrier may employ any person who has received a positive test result for such test confirmed as provided in subdivisions (2) and (3) of section 31-51u. No carrier may continue to employ as a driver, for two years, any person who has received a positive test result for such test confirmed as provided in subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (a) of section 31-51u. Also, no carrier may continue to employ as a driver, permanently, any person who has received a second positive test result for such test which was confirmed as provided in subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (a) of section 31-51u. The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, impose a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for the first offense and two thousand five hundred dollars for each subsequent offense on any carrier which violates any provision.

Getting Help

These are the laws related to driver drug testing in the state of Connecticut. If you feel that you were improperly tested, you should contact an attorney. They can review the specifics of your case. They can also establish a defense for your situation.