What Does a Cancelled DOT Drug Test Mean?

A cancelled drug test is "neither a positive nor a negative test," according to the definition in 49 CFR 40.3. The term covers a test with a problem that cannot be or has not been corrected, or a test that Part 40 otherwise requires to be cancelled.

Under 49 CFR 40.199, some problems, called fatal flaws, always cause a test to be cancelled. Examples listed in the rule include a missing CCF, specimen ID numbers on the bottle and the CCF that do not match, and a broken or tampered bottle seal when the split specimen cannot be re-designated.

Under 49 CFR 40.207, an employer must not attach the consequences of a positive test to a cancelled test, and a cancelled test cannot serve as the negative result needed for a pre-employment, return-to-duty or follow-up test. The employer also must not direct a recollection because a test was cancelled, except where a negative result is needed or another provision of Part 40 requires another test. A cancelled test does not count toward the employer's minimum random testing rate and is not a valid basis for a non-DOT test. For a correctable flaw, only the MRO who cancelled the test can reverse the cancellation, within 60 days of the cancellation or later with ODAPC permission.

A related result is explained in What Does an Invalid DOT Drug Test Result Mean?.

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