How to Return to Duty
without an Employer
Video transcript below with timestamps included for reference.
Can you return to duty without an employer? [0:29]
Yes, it's possible to return to duty without an employer, but there's a catch. You cannot simply go to a clinic that performs DOT drug screens and ask for a return-to-duty test with an observer. They'll take your money and test you, and they'll send your results to the lab and back to you; but that's all a clinic can do. A clinic cannot manage your Consortium and cannot upload your results to your Clearinghouse. You need someone to manage that process for you.
There are two ways to return to duty:
A company hires you. When they bring you on, they'll send you for a pre-employment test and a return-to-duty test (or treat your RTD test as your pre-employment test). That company's Consortium/TPA manages you going forward.
You go directly to a Consortium/TPA and ask them to manage you. Think of your Consortium as your representative, you cannot return yourself to duty without one.
What does a C/TPA do to manage your return to duty? [1:42]
As a C/TPA, here's the process for managing a driver's return to duty:
Paperwork first. Drivers sign paperwork giving permission to review their violation.
Locate the SAP. We gather your SAP's name, email, website, and phone number so we can request your Step 6 documents and proof of completion. If you're worried your SAP won't respond, even if it's been a long time -- don't worry. We'll contact them by every means possible, including email, phone, website, and even direct message on Facebook. Your SAP is not allowed to withhold your documents.
Get your test requirements. Your SAP determines what kind of test you need to return to duty; urine, alcohol, or both and your SAP should have that information as well.
Designate the Consortium in your Clearinghouse. This takes about 15–20 minutes and is done together with you on the phone, step by step, so nothing gets missed.
How does the drug screen and observer test process work? [3:39]
Once designation is complete, we can send you for a drug screen anywhere in the US. We check our network to find the closest DOT-approved location with an observer on-site; every test in the Return to Duty process must be an observed test. We handle the donor pass, the address, and coordinate directly with the testing site, then give you everything you need to schedule an appointment at a time that works for you.
The same day results come back, we upload them, check off Step 5, and move your Clearinghouse status from prohibited to not prohibited. You'll get a message confirming you're no longer prohibited and can start driving again, effective immediately, unless your license has already been downgraded. We will also work with you to ensure that you understand the next steps for notifying your State Driver's License Agency (SDLA) that your your Clearinghouse is NOT Prohibited.
What if your license has already been downgraded? [4:23]
If your CDL has already been downgraded, driving-eligible status alone isn't enough; head to the DMV first. Let them know you've completed all necessary requirements (Step 5 and return-to-duty), and they'll verify the check mark in your Clearinghouse record. Once confirmed, your license can be reinstated and you're clear to drive again.
Get started
If you have questions or need this service, you can:
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Call 832-339-0790 — this reaches Julie directly, not an operator or team member
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Visit GetOutOfProhibited.com if you haven't started the process yet
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Complete steps 1 and 2 and our processing team will call you during normal business hours.
Important: Don't go to a clinic and ask for an RTD test. Clinics can perform the test, but they cannot legally upload your results to the Clearinghouse — and they'll still take your payment regardless.