The U.S. Department of Transportation has taken an important step toward updating its drug testing requirements by proposing the addition of fentanyl to the federal panel. The proposal was published on September 2, 2025, and it follows the latest updates to the HHS Mandatory Guidelines. For New York carriers, this is a change worth paying close attention to.
Fentanyl has become one of the most dangerous and widespread drugs in the country, and New York has felt the effects more than most. It’s commonly found in counterfeit pills and mixed into other substances without the user ever knowing. With overdose numbers rising across the country, DOT is looking to modernize its testing requirements so the regulated transportation industry stays aligned with today’s realities.
Under the proposal, fentanyl would be included in every DOT-regulated drug test, whether it’s a pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, or return-to-duty test. The cutoffs being considered are low enough to detect even small amounts, which means carriers should prepare for an increase in non-negative results. For New York fleets, that could translate into more MRO reviews, more SAP referrals, and potentially longer onboarding times for new drivers.
This won’t just affect trucking. New York school bus companies, transit agencies, charter bus operations, and mixed fleets will all need to update their policies once the rule becomes final. Drivers who have legitimate fentanyl prescriptions, which are rare and used only for severe medical conditions, will need to be ready to document them during MRO review. Illicit use will, of course, remain a violation.
DOT’s proposal includes a few changes outside of fentanyl that are also worth noting. One of the more helpful updates involves the way opiate positives are verified. The confirmatory cutoff for morphine would increase, which should reduce false positives from foods like poppy seeds. MROs would also no longer have to request clinical exams for certain opioid levels, which means fewer delays and fewer unnecessary medical evaluations. These adjustments could save New York carriers both time and money.
Another proposed update involves biomarker testing. This would allow laboratories to verify whether a specimen is genuinely human and not synthetic or substituted. Tampering is still an issue in the industry, especially in high-volume markets like New York where roadside tests and randoms occur frequently. Biomarker testing would help make the entire process more reliable, although it won’t be fully implemented until HHS approves it.
Overall, DOT estimates the cost increase to the industry at just over $18 million per year. Most of that is expected to come from additional screenings, confirmations, and MRO reviews. New York carriers—responsible for a heavy share of interstate freight and one of the country’s busiest school and transit systems will likely feel these impacts more than smaller states.
Now is a good time for carriers to start thinking about what this change will mean for their programs. Policies will need to be updated, training materials refreshed, and drivers made aware of the new expectations. C/TPAs and testing providers will also need to update their systems so fentanyl is fully integrated into random testing pools.
At Academi Services, we’re already preparing for this shift. We work closely with New York carriers every day, helping them manage their DOT and non-DOT testing programs, stay compliant with Part 40 requirements, and adapt to regulatory updates like this. Once the final rule is published, we’ll be ready to help you transition smoothly.
A final rule will likely follow sometime in 2026. In the meantime, if you’re unsure how this may affect your company, or if you want help reviewing your current drug and alcohol policy, we’re here to assist.
