FAQ
Questions we hear every day.
Straight answers about mobile drug and alcohol testing, pricing, timing and what happens when a collector arrives. Anything else, call dispatch.
Booking and response
How fast can a collector get to us?
Dispatch runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and we aim to be on site within two hours of dispatch across Northeast Pennsylvania, the Hudson Valley, Binghamton, Syracuse, New Jersey and Connecticut. For locations farther out, dispatch gives you an estimate before you commit.
Do I need an account to book a test?
No. Companies usually set up an account so random programs and invoicing run smoothly, but individuals, families and attorneys can book a single test with one phone call.
Where will the test take place?
Wherever the person is: a terminal, a job site trailer, an HR office, a hotel room or a home. The collector needs a private space with a door and, for urine collections, access to a restroom.
Will the collector be obvious?
No. Our collectors arrive in unmarked personal vehicles and dress to fit your environment. Nothing about the visit announces itself to co-workers or neighbors.
Can you run our random testing program?
Yes. Give us your selection list and testing window and we schedule and complete the collections across your shifts and locations.
Tests and results
What is the difference between a DOT and a non-DOT test?
A DOT test is required by federal regulation for safety-sensitive employees under agencies such as FMCSA, FTA and FAA, and must follow 49 CFR Part 40 procedures with a Federal custody form and a certified lab. A non-DOT test follows your own policy or a court order. We follow DOT collection procedure on both.
How long do results take?
Instant tests are read on site in about ten minutes. Lab-based negative results are typically reported in 1 to 3 days. Positive results take 5 to 10 days because they go through confirmation testing and Medical Review Officer review.
What happens if an instant test is not negative?
The same specimen is sealed under chain of custody and sent to the laboratory for confirmation testing, which identifies the specific substance. Lab confirmation is $400. You should not take employment action on an unconfirmed instant screen.
How far back does each test look?
Breath alcohol shows alcohol in the body right now. Urine drug tests generally cover the last few days. EtG alcohol testing reaches back about 80 hours. Hair follicle testing covers roughly 90 days, and segmented hair testing breaks that window into month-by-month results.
Which laboratories do you use?
We hold accounts with LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics, Clinical Reference Laboratory, Omega Laboratories and Abbott. If your company already has a lab contract, we can collect under it.
Pricing and payment
What does a test cost?
DOT and non-DOT lab-based drug tests start at $55. Instant tests start at $50. Breath alcohol tests start at $45 and EtG alcohol tests at $55. Hair follicle tests start at $100 and segmented hair tests at $300. Lab confirmation after a non-negative instant test is $400. Volume programs are quoted when you book.
Are there travel, after-hours or emergency charges?
Some collections carry additional fees on top of the test price: mileage at the federal mileage rate, a $40 per hour response fee with a 4-hour minimum for reasonable suspicion and post-accident calls, $50 for after-hours collections between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m., and $50 for weekends and holidays. Dispatch tells you which apply before a collector is sent, so there are no surprises.
Can you test at my home for a family matter?
Yes. Personal and family testing is a large part of what we do. The visit is discreet and the results are reported only to the person who ordered the test, or to the court or attorney if the test was ordered for a legal matter.
Still have a question?
Dispatch answers 24/7/365. Call and ask a person.