Source: www.nbaa.org, News Editor, First Published Jan/Feb, 2026 The Department of Transportation recently released its 2026 testing rates for safety-sensitive positions covered by mandatory drug and alcohol testing programs, and the rates for 2026 remain unchanged from previous years. The required testing levels will remain at 25% for random drug testing and 10% for random alcohol testing for safety sensitive positions, including pilots flying under Part 135, mechanics for Part 145 repair stations, air traffic controllers and others. “These rates are the minimum testing levels prescribed by DOT, reflecting the aviation industry’s high compliance rate with drug and alcohol avoidance mandates,” said NBAA Senior Vice President of Safety, Security, Sustainability and International Affairs Doug Carr. Random drug testing rates may remain at the minimum rate if the drug test positive rate is less than 1.00%. In 2024, the random drug test violation rate was 0.816%. Random alcohol testing rates may remain at the minimum rate if the violation rate remains under 0.50%. In 2024, the random alcohol test violation rate was 0.131%. DOT DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING RATES REMAIN AT MINIMUM LEVELS, REFLECTING INDUSTRY’S GOOD COMPLIANCE RECORD OPENING LINES 13 AVIATION VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 05, ISSUE 04
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