US transportation workers can now be tested for drugs using spit, not just pee

The US Department of Transportation has updated its drug and alcohol testing rules for transportation workers. This means employers can now use oral fluid (spit) tests in addition to urine tests.

For decades, drug testing in transportation relied almost entirely on urine samples. Adding oral fluid tests gives employers more options for screening, which could make testing faster and easier to administer. This change could also reduce some of the logistical challenges and privacy concerns associated with traditional urine collection.