DOT SAP Program in Indiana: What Truck Drivers Need to Know (2026)

If you’re a CDL holder in Indiana and either fail or refuse a DOT drug or alcohol test, you’ll be taken off safety-sensitive duties right away and won’t be able to return to work until you’ve completed the mandatory return-to-duty (RTD) process.

The first step in this process is an evaluation with a DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).

At American River Wellness, we support commercial drivers across Indiana, including Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, and beyond, through every step of the SAP journey, ensuring it’s fast, smooth, and compliant.

This guide explains the entire DOT SAP program so you’ll know exactly what’s involved and how to get your CDL reinstated properly.

What is a DOT SAP Evaluation?

A DOT SAP evaluation is a required step for any safety-sensitive employee regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation who has violated drug or alcohol rules.

This assessment is performed by a DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), who will:

• Review the circumstances surrounding your violation
• Assess your past and current substance use
• Develop a personalized plan for education, treatment, or both
• Track your progress throughout the program
• Decide when you’re fit to return to work and outline your follow-up testing schedule

Your tailored plan may include:

• Drug and alcohol education sessions
• One-on-one or group counseling
• Attendance at recovery meetings like AA or NA
• Inpatient or residential treatment, if necessary
• A DOT-compliant return-to-duty test
• Continued follow-up testing to confirm ongoing sobriety

The primary goal of the SAP evaluation is to ensure you’re sober, stable, and ready to return to commercial driving without compromising public safety.

Who is Required to Complete the SAP Program in Indiana?

Any employee in a safety-sensitive role covered by the U.S. Department of Transportation must go through the SAP process after a drug or alcohol violation before they’re allowed to return to duty.

In Indiana, this requirement applies to:

• Commercial drivers with a valid CDL
• Drivers transporting hazardous materials (HAZMAT)
• Bus operators carrying 16 or more passengers
• Full-time or part-time CDL drivers
• CDL holders employed by local, state, or federal government agencies

CDL drivers in Indiana must comply with DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations under several scenarios:

• Pre-employment screening before starting a driving job
• Random testing while employed
• Testing after qualifying accidents
• Testing based on reasonable suspicion

Failing or refusing any of these tests triggers the return-to-duty process, starting with a SAP evaluation.

The violation is also logged in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

DOT Return-to-Duty Process in Indiana

If you fail or refuse a DOT drug or alcohol test in Indiana, you won’t be allowed to return to any safety-sensitive role until you’ve completed the full return-to-duty (RTD) process.

Here’s what the process looks like:

1. Immediate Removal from Safety-Sensitive Duties

Once a violation is confirmed, your employer must immediately take you off any safety-sensitive duties, as required under DOT regulations.

This step is mandatory and must be carried out right away.

2. Referral to a DOT-Qualified SAP

Your employer will give you a list of approved DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs).

Only SAPs who are officially qualified by the DOT can perform the evaluation. General counselors or unqualified providers are not eligible.

3. Initial SAP Evaluation

You’ll schedule a meeting with your chosen SAP, either virtually or in person.

During the session, the SAP will:

• Go over your job history and past substance use
• Discuss the details of your DOT violation
• Develop a personalized plan that may include education, treatment, or both

4. Completion of the SAP’s Recommended Program

You’ll need to complete everything your SAP recommends. This could include:

• Drug or alcohol education classes
• Counseling on a weekly or biweekly basis
• Attending peer support groups like AA or NA
• Inpatient treatment, if required

Your SAP will track your progress and confirm when all components are complete.

5. Follow-Up SAP Evaluation

After you’ve finished the program, you’ll meet with the SAP again.

If everything has been successfully completed, the SAP will write a report stating that you’re cleared for return-to-duty testing.

6. Return-to-Duty Test

You must pass a DOT drug or alcohol test under direct observation before resuming work.

A negative test is required, and if your violation involved alcohol, your BAC must be below 0.02%.

7. Employer Review and Reinstatement

Your employer will evaluate the SAP report and your test results.

Even if you meet all the requirements, your employer is not obligated to rehire you.

8. Follow-Up Testing Schedule

If you’re reinstated or hired by another DOT-regulated employer, you’ll need to follow the SAP’s follow-up testing plan.

This usually includes:

• At least six unannounced tests during the first year
• Continued testing for up to five years
• Adhering strictly to all test appointments

9. Continued Monitoring

Your employer will be responsible for ensuring you stay compliant with the testing schedule.

If you fail or refuse another test, you’ll be removed from duty again and must repeat the SAP process from scratch.

Important Laws and Regulations

Federal Laws and Regulations

Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act (MCSIA) of 1999

The Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 created the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which oversees the enforcement of safety rules for commercial drivers and their employers throughout the U.S.

This act also applies strict penalties for major violations, even if they happen while driving a personal vehicle.

Under Section 201(g), CDL disqualification can result from off-duty offenses such as:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances
• Possession or use of illegal drugs
• Refusing to complete a required chemical test
• Any serious infraction that causes license suspension or revocation

The penalties include:

• First offense: One-year disqualification of your CDL
• Second offense: Lifetime CDL disqualification (with possible reinstatement after 10 years in limited cases)
• Felony involving controlled substances while in a CMV: Permanent lifetime disqualification
• Human trafficking using a CMV: Permanent lifetime disqualification

FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements

As stated in 49 CFR Part 382 § 382.301, CDL drivers are subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing in the following situations:

• Before being hired (pre-employment testing)
• Randomly during employment
• After qualifying accidents
• When there is reasonable suspicion based on behavior or appearance
• During the return-to-duty and follow-up process after a violation

FMCSA Clearinghouse and CDL Suspension Policies

Under the FMCSA’s 2021 final rule and 2023 guidance, any driver who fails or refuses a DOT drug or alcohol test, or receives a “prohibited” status in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, will have their CDL suspended right away.

You will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive duties again until the entire SAP process is completed.

These violations stay in the Clearinghouse for five years or until you finish the return-to-duty process, whichever comes first.

Employer Reporting Responsibilities

Per 49 CFR Part 382 § 382.705, employers regulated by the DOT must report any drug or alcohol testing violations to the FMCSA Clearinghouse using the Login.gov portal.

This information becomes available to other DOT-regulated employers during the hiring process for safety-sensitive positions.

When a SAP Evaluation is Required

As outlined in 49 CFR Part 40 § 40.285, a SAP evaluation must be completed if you:

• Fail a DOT-regulated drug or alcohol test
• Have a BAC of 0.04% or higher while driving a commercial vehicle
• Decline or avoid taking a required test
• Submit an adulterated or substituted test sample
• Violate any other DOT drug and alcohol rule

Final Steps Before Returning to Work

According to 49 CFR Part 40 § 40.305, before you can legally return to duty, the following must happen:

• You must pass a return-to-duty drug or alcohol test with a negative result
• You must finish all treatment or education assigned by your SAP
• Your BAC must be below 0.02% if your violation involved alcohol

Even once you’ve completed every step, your employer still holds the authority to decide whether or not to reinstate you.

Indiana State Laws

Lower BAC Limit for CDL Drivers

In Indiana, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is more stringent for commercial drivers than for non-commercial drivers operating vehicles in the state.

According to Indiana Code § 9-24-6.1-6, a CDL holder operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is considered legally impaired when they have a BAC of 0.04% or higher.

By contrast, the legal limit for non-commercial drivers operating vehicles in the state is 0.08% under Indiana Code § 9-30-5-1(a).

Additionally, any driver, whether driving commercially or otherwise, can be charged with operating while intoxicated (OWI) if their ability to drive is impaired by alcohol or drugs, even if their BAC is below the legal threshold.

Indiana also follows the implied consent law found in Indiana Code § 9-30-6-1, meaning that by holding a driver’s license or CDL, you automatically consent to submit to chemical testing (breath and/or blood) when requested by law enforcement.

Refusing a test can result in license suspension, the mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, jail, fines, and other penalties.

CDL Disqualification for OWI and Major Offenses

Indiana has adopted the disqualification rules found in Table 1 to 49 CFR Part 383, § 383.51 for major offenses and enforces strict penalties for CDL holders who commit major violations related to alcohol, drugs, or other serious conduct.

These penalties apply whether the offense occurs in a commercial or personal vehicle.

Disqualifying violations include:

• Operating a CMV with a BAC of 0.04% or higher
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in any vehicle (commercial or non-commercial)
• Refusing to take a mandatory alcohol or drug test
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Using any vehicle in the commission of a felony (other than trafficking offenses)
• Operating a CMV with a suspended, canceled, or revoked CDL
• Driving while disqualified from operating a CMV
• Causing a fatal crash due to the negligent operation of a commercial vehicle
• Using a CMV in connection with drug trafficking or human trafficking

The disqualification periods for major offenses include:

• First offense (excluding drug/human trafficking): 1-year CDL disqualification
• First offense while hauling hazardous materials: 3-year disqualification
• Second major offense (excluding trafficking crimes): Lifetime disqualification, with potential for reinstatement after 10 years in select cases
• Any conviction involving drug or human trafficking using a CMV: Lifetime disqualification with no possibility of reinstatement

Serious Traffic Violations

CDL holders in Indiana may also face disqualification for “serious traffic violations,” including those that occur while driving a personal vehicle.

Under Table 2 to 49 CFR Part 383, § 383.51, serious violations include:

• Speeding 15 mph or more over the posted limit
• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Improper or erratic lane changes
• Following another vehicle too closely
• Violating any traffic law (other than parking violations) that results in a fatal accident
• Driving a CMV without a valid CDL or permit
• Driving a CMV without having the driver’s CDL in their possession
• Driving without the proper CDL class or endorsements
• Using a handheld mobile phone or texting while operating a CMV

Disqualification periods for serious traffic violations are:

• Two offenses within three years: 60-day disqualification
• Three or more offenses within three years: 120-day disqualification

These penalties are separate from and in addition to any fines, criminal charges, and criminal penalties that may also apply.

Railroad Crossing and Out-of-Service Order Violations

Failing to comply with railroad crossing regulations or operating under an out-of-service order can also result in CDL disqualification in Indiana.

Examples of railroad violations include failing to stop, ignoring warning signals, or not slowing down when required.

Typical disqualification periods are:

• First offense: At least 60 days
• Second offense within three years: At least 120 days
• Third or subsequent offense within three years: At least 1 year

For out-of-service order violations, which occur when a driver is prohibited from operating a CMV due to safety issues or compliance failures, the penalties are:

• First offense: 180-days up to 1 year disqualification
• Second offense within 10 years: 2-year up to 5-year disqualification
• Third or subsequent offense within 10 years: 3-year up to 5-year disqualification

If the violation involves transporting hazardous materials or passengers, disqualification periods may be longer.

Choosing the Right SAP Program in Indiana

Finding the right SAP provider is key to completing the return-to-duty process efficiently and getting back on the road without unnecessary delays.

Here’s what to look for:

1. Fast, Virtual Appointments Without Delay

At American River Wellness, we provide same-day or next-day virtual SAP evaluations throughout Indiana.

You can begin the return-to-duty process right away, no waiting, no travel required.

2. Clear Communication from Start to Finish

We keep both you and your employer informed every step of the way.

Our team ensures everyone is updated regularly to avoid delays or confusion during the process.

3. Transparent Pricing and Flexible Payment Options

Our SAP evaluations start at $450, with payment plans available from just $112 through Afterpay.

We’re upfront about all fees, no hidden charges or surprise costs.

4. Full-Service Support Through the Entire Process

From your first evaluation to your final report, we’ll guide you through every stage of the SAP process.

If you need help finding counseling, education programs, or support groups, we’ll make the connections for you.

5. Qualified Professionals with DOT Certification

Our evaluators are fully certified under DOT guidelines and include:

• Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP)
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
• Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC)
• Intervention Specialist (IS)
• DOT Qualified Substance Abuse Professional (DOT SAP)

These qualifications ensure your evaluation is valid, compliant, and handled by experienced professionals.

6. Continued Help Even After Completion

Once your SAP steps are done, we hold onto your records for five years.

We also remain available if you need help with job placement, follow-up test coordination, or employer documentation.

Get Back on the Road with American River Wellness

A DOT drug or alcohol violation doesn’t have to end your trucking career.

The SAP process is your official path to getting back on the road, legally, safely, and with confidence.

At American River Wellness, we’re here to make that process as straightforward as possible.

We offer fast virtual evaluations, DOT-qualified professionals, and full support every step of the way to help Indiana drivers complete the return-to-duty process smoothly.

Call us today at (833) 436-8727 to schedule your SAP evaluation and start your return to work.

DISCLAIMER: This information is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. It should not be interpreted as legal counsel or guidance.

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