DOT-SAP Program
Your Path Back to Work
Payment plans start at $112 (with Klarna, Affirm, or Afterpay if approved)
Virtual services
Available by text / phone / email
Free access to translators
Everyone Deserves a Second Chance, Let’s Make Yours Count!
Failed a DOT drug or alcohol test? You’re required to complete the return-to-duty process before you can return to safety-sensitive work.
We know this is a challenging time, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At American River Wellness, we’ve helped thousands of truck drivers just like you get their CDL back after completing our fast and easy DOT SAP program.
Many drivers are going into debt, using credit cards, loans, or borrowed money, to cover SAP-related costs. That’s why we offer a flat $450 fee and flexible payment plans, so you know what to expect and don’t have to go into debt to get back on the road.
We also offer same-day or next-day evaluations online, so you can start the SAP process right away without having to travel anywhere.
1
Fill Out a Quick Form
Start by filling out this short form to book a time that works for you.
If you’d rather talk to someone, you can call or text 916-282-0866.
2
Send
Sargent, Graham, a request in the FMCSA Clearinghouse (Commercial drivers Only)
3
Begin
Initial evaluation within 24-48 hours
DOT SAP PROGRAM COST
Transparent pricing. No hidden fees.- Initial SAP evaluation and assessment report
- Custom treatment or education referral plan
- Progress monitoring throughout your program
- Final evaluation and RTD test eligibility reporting
- Follow-up testing schedule and coordination
- Direct submission of all required documents
- Consultation support for 5 years after completion
Why Choose American River Wellness?
Experience & Expertise
- DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professional
- 8+ years conducting SAP evaluations
- Comprehensive knowledge of DOT regulations
- Service for all DOT-regulated industries
Support & Communication
- Clear guidance throughout the process
- Regular updates to you and your employer
- Available by phone, email, or text
- Ongoing support during follow-up testing
Affordable Options
- $450 program fee with flexible payment plans available (starting at $112 with Klarna, Affirm, or Afterpay, if approved)
- Transparent pricing
- No hidden fees
- 5 years of free post-completion consultations
Convenience & Accessibility
- Services available in all 50 states
- Virtual evaluation options
- Same or next-day appointments
- Flexible scheduling
Meet Your SAP
Graham Sargent
CEAP, CADC-III-ICADC, IS, SAP
At the heart of American River Wellness is Graham Sargent, a seasoned professional with over 14 years of experience working with safety-sensitive employees, individuals in the criminal justice and child welfare systems, and those affected by substance use.
Graham built this practice with a simple mission: to offer personalized, compassionate support to every client navigating the DOT return-to-duty process.
Unlike larger providers that rely on call centers or automated systems, Graham works directly with clients, giving you one-on-one attention, expert guidance, and tailored care from start to finish.
He’s passionate about helping individuals return to work safely and confidently, while also supporting public safety and workplace compliance.
With 4,000+ DOT SAP evaluations completed since 2018, Graham brings a deep understanding of the process and a genuine commitment to your success.
Our 6-Step DOT SAP Program Process
1
Scheduling Your Evaluation
Getting started is easy – contact us by phone, email, or text to schedule your initial appointment. We offer same-day or next-day appointments to help you return to work faster.
2
Your SAP Evaluation
During your evaluation, we’ll have an in-depth conversation about your substance use history and the circumstances that led to your violation. Your SAP will use professional assessment tools to understand your situation and determine the best path forward.
3
Treatment/ Education Plan
Your SAP will develop a personalized plan based on your evaluation. This might include drug and alcohol education, counseling, outpatient treatment, or in some cases, inpatient care. We’ll clearly explain how to complete each step to comply with DOT requirements and monitor your progress throughout.
4
Follow-Up Evaluation
Once you’ve completed your recommended program, you’ll meet with your SAP again. We’ll review your participation and progress to determine if you’re ready to safely return to work.
5
Return-to-Duty Recommendation
After successfully completing all requirements, your SAP will prepare a report confirming your eligibility to return to work. We’ll send this to your employer, who can then arrange your return-to-duty drug and alcohol test. Upon passing this test, you can resume your safety-sensitive duties.
6
Follow-Up Testing
Your employer will conduct unannounced follow-up drug and alcohol tests for at least one year. You’ll need to maintain negative results to keep your position. Throughout this period, your American River Wellness SAP remains available by phone, email, or text to provide support and guidance.
Laws and Regulations Every CDL Driver in the US Should Know
Commercial trucking moves food, fuel, and building materials across state lines every day on major routes like I-80, I-40, and I-95, connecting the ports, farms, and warehouses that supply the country. Because CDL drivers carry this responsibility, federal and state rules hold them to a higher standard than other drivers, and a single violation can end your ability to drive.
Weigh stations and roadside inspection teams operate along freight routes in every state under the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s national inspection program. Officers can stop you for a Level 1, 2, or 3 inspection anywhere on your route.
Federal rules also require carriers to randomly test 50% of their drivers for drugs each year. If a violation shows up in the FMCSA Clearinghouse, your state’s driver licensing agency downgrades your CDL, and you must complete the full return-to-duty process before you can drive again.
Here are the key federal rules you should know:
This act created the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which oversees safety rules for you as a CDL driver and for your employer, regardless of whether a violation occurs in a commercial or personal vehicle.
You can face major offenses for:
- Driving under the influence (alcohol or drugs)
- Possessing or using illegal drugs
- Refusing a required test
- Committing other violations that lead to license suspension
Here’s what you’re looking at for penalties:
- First offense: You lose your CDL for 1 year
- Second offense: You face lifetime disqualification, though you may qualify for reinstatement after 10 years
- Drug-related felonies: You face permanent disqualification
49 CFR Part 382 § 382.103 requires you to undergo drug and alcohol testing at several points:
- Before you’re hired
- Through random selection
- After an accident
- When a supervisor has reasonable suspicion
- Before returning to duty and during follow-up periods
The 2021 final rule and 2023 DOT guidance spell out what happens next:
- If you fail or refuse a test, or get flagged as “prohibited” in the Clearinghouse, your CDL gets suspended immediately.
- You can’t get back behind the wheel until you complete the full SAP process.
- Your violation stays on record in the Clearinghouse for up to five years, or until you satisfy SAP requirements.
Your employer must report every violation through Login.gov, as required by 49 CFR Part 382 § 382.705. Once reported, any DOT-regulated employer can view that record.
49 CFR Part 40 § 40.285 requires a SAP evaluation if you:
- Fail a DOT drug test
- Register a BAC of 0.04% or higher while operating a CMV
- Refuse or fail to take a required test
- Tamper with or substitute a sample
- Violate any DOT drug or alcohol policy
Under 49 CFR Part 40 § 40.305, you can only return to duty once you:
- Pass a DOT drug or alcohol test
- Complete all SAP-mandated treatment or education
- Show a BAC under 0.02% in alcohol-related cases
Keep in mind that even after you meet these requirements, your employer still decides whether to reinstate you.
Have any questions about the return to duty process?
We’re here to help. Give us a call today.
FAQs
Total timeline depends on how quickly the SAP process starts, especially your first evaluation appointment. In our 2026 national survey of 1,060 CDL holders, only 49.1% saw a SAP for their first evaluation within two weeks of their violation, meaning over half waited longer just to get that first appointment scheduled. That’s why we offer same- or next-day scheduling to help you avoid that delay and get back on the road faster. Most drivers complete their program within 7 days, though timing can vary based on individual circumstances and requirements.
Total cost depends on more than the evaluation fee and includes any required education or treatment you might need, and your lost income while being off the road. In our 2026 survey of 1,060 US CDL holders who went through the SAP program, 61.3% paid more than $450 for the evaluation alone, but 69.8% lost more than $3,000 in income while off the road, and 61.3% went into debt, using credit cards, loans, or borrowed money, to cover the total cost.
Our DOT SAP program starts at a $450 base rate, with flexible payment options starting at $112 with Klarna, Affirm, or Afterpay if approved.
This includes the SAP evaluation and follow-up with no hidden fees; any required education or treatment and the return-to-duty test are billed separately, and drivers receive free consultation support for five years after completion.
No, you cannot operate a commercial vehicle until you complete the program and pass your return-to-duty test.
Without completing the SAP program, you won’t be legally cleared to return to safety-sensitive duties. Your violation will remain in the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.
No. Be wary of any company claiming to offer free DOT SAP programs, as these claims are false.
Drivers most often find a SAP provider through an online search rather than through an employer, coworker, or treatment center referral, according to our 2026 survey of 1,060 CDL drivers. But you should choose carefully instead of going with the first result: 42.4% of drivers said they’d pick a different provider if they had to do it again, while only 39.6% would stick with the one they had.
Also, not all substance abuse counselors are qualified to provide DOT SAP services. You need a DOT-qualified SAP who has completed specialized training, passed exams, and demonstrated thorough knowledge of DOT regulations, like our professionals at American River Wellness.
The Return-to-Duty process is required when you violate DOT drug and alcohol rules through:
- A positive drug test
- An alcohol test with BAC of 0.04% or higher
- Test refusal (including diluted or adulterated samples)
After any of these violations, you’ll be removed from your safety-sensitive position until you complete these steps:
- Initial DOT SAP evaluation
- Recommended treatment and/or education
- Follow-up evaluation
- SAP clearance for return-to-duty testing
- Passing a return-to-duty drug and alcohol test
- Follow-up testing for at least 12 months
Important: If you fail either the return-to-duty test or any follow-up or other test, you’ll need to restart the entire process.
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