Federal agencies have taken steps that could help bring new drug-testing options to trucking. But fleets are still waiting to put them to work.

Recent federal actions could move oral-fluid drug testing closer to use by trucking fleets, but employers still cannot use it to meet Department of Transportation drug testing requirements for safety-sensitive workers such as truck drivers.

The Food and Drug Administration eased requirements for certain testing systems in October. Separately, the Department of Health and Human Services proposed updates to oral-fluid testing guidelines and confirmed that no laboratories had yet been certified to perform the tests.

Neither action makes oral-fluid testing available for Department of Transportation-required tests yet.

Meanwhile, the broader effort to change marijuana’s federal classification remains unfinished.

What FDA Changed for Drug Testing

On Oct. 6, FDA removed a requirement that certain drug-testing systems go through its premarket review process before being sold for use in federal testing programs.

The change could make it easier for suppliers to bring testing systems to market. FDA acknowledged that it could help move oral-fluid testing forward.

But FDA’s decision addresses the equipment used to perform tests. It does not approve laboratories or decide which testing methods fleets can use to meet DOT requirements.

The agency also made clear that its action does not authorize hair testing in federal programs.

Why DOT Oral-Fluid Testing Is Delayed

DOT approved oral-fluid testing as an alternative to urine testing in 2023. Before employers can use it, however, HHS must certify at least two laboratories to perform the testing.

One lab tests the original sample. A second must be available to test the separately collected portion, known as the split specimen, if an employee requests that testing after certain results.

In an Oct. 29 proposal, HHS confirmed that no oral-fluid laboratories had yet been certified.

That proposal would update laboratory requirements and procedures for collecting, testing, and reviewing oral-fluid samples. It also would clarify that a laboratory could qualify to handle only split-specimen testing.

Comments are due Dec. 28. These are proposed changes to federal workplace testing guidelines. DOT would have to determine how to incorporate any final changes into its own testing program.

Marijuana Rescheduling Remains Pending

The separate effort to move marijuana from Schedule I to the less restrictive Schedule III category also remains unresolved.

On Oct. 22, Drug Enforcement Administration Chief Administrative Law Judge Derek Julius agreed to add a Government Accountability Office report to the evidence being considered. The report examined gaps in how federal agencies document and carry out drug-scheduling decisions.

The judge declined to reopen the hearing for more testimony. Instead, he gave the parties additional time to submit written arguments about the report, with final replies due Nov. 5.

That is a filing deadline, not a decision date on rescheduling.

Earlier this year, federal officials separately reclassified certain medical-marijuana products. DOT then clarified that a state medical-marijuana authorization still cannot excuse a positive DOT marijuana test.

A medical marijuana card, doctor’s recommendation, or dispensary receipt does not give a medical review officer grounds to report that test as negative.

The proceedings follow President Trump’s December 2025 order to move reclassification forward.

What Can Trucking Fleets Expect?

For trucking fleets, October brought progress toward alternative testing, but no immediate change in how they can conduct DOT drug tests.

FDA removed one requirement for testing-system suppliers, but laboratories still need federal certification before DOT oral-fluid testing can begin. And the ongoing marijuana proceedings have not changed DOT’s position on positive tests attributed to state-authorized medical marijuana.