Overview
This article explains the purpose, content, and submission requirements for the Management Information System (MIS) report under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing regulations. It is designed to help DOT-regulated employers understand when they are required to submit an MIS report and how to remain compliant with federal guidelines under 49 CFR Part 382.403 and Part 40.26.
What Is an MIS Report?
The MIS report is a standardized, federally mandated report that compiles annual data on a company's DOT-regulated drug and alcohol testing program. The report includes aggregated statistics, not personal information, and helps the DOT monitor compliance trends and identify areas needing regulatory attention across industries.
MIS stands for Management Information System, a term used in DOT regulations to describe this specific data collection.
Who Must Submit an MIS Report?
Not all employers are required to submit an MIS report every year. The submission requirement applies under the following conditions:
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If you receive a written notice from a DOT agency (such as FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, PHMSA, or USCG), you are required to submit the report.
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If you are a consortium/third-party administrator (C/TPA) acting on behalf of covered employers and are instructed by the DOT to submit data.
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Employers regulated by FMCSA must also prepare MIS data annually in case it is requested, even if they are not instructed to submit it that year.
Important: If you are not selected or notified by the DOT or your modal agency, you are not required to submit the MIS report—but you must still retain the testing records used to compile it.
When Is the MIS Report Due?
The annual MIS report must be submitted by March 15 following the end of the calendar year being reported. For example, the report for testing conducted in 2024 is due by March 15, 2025.
Failure to submit the report if requested can result in DOT enforcement actions or penalties.
What Information Is Included in the MIS Report?
The report summarizes your company’s drug and alcohol testing activity for all DOT-covered employees (those in safety-sensitive positions) over the previous calendar year. This includes:
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Number of covered employees
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Number of drug tests conducted, broken down by:
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Pre-employment
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Random
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Post-accident
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Reasonable suspicion
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Return-to-duty
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Follow-up
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Number of alcohol tests conducted, in similar categories
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Positive test results, refusals to test, and actual knowledge violations
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Types of drugs found in positives (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines)
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Referrals to substance abuse professionals (SAPs) and return-to-duty completions
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Other testing metrics as required by the DOT modal agency
Note: The MIS report does not contain names or personal identifying information of drivers or employees. It is strictly numerical and statistical.
How to Submit the MIS Report
Each DOT agency has its own submission method, which may include:
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An online portal (e.g., FMCSA uses a secure login portal)
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Email or mail submission
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Web-based form fill-out via instructions in the notification letter
Refer to your agency's instructions when you receive your submission notice. If using a C/TPA, confirm whether they will submit on your behalf or require you to review and approve the data first.
Retention and Recordkeeping
Even if you are not required to submit the report in a given year, you must retain all data used to compile the MIS report for five years, per 49 CFR Part 382.401. This includes:
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Testing records
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SAP referrals and evaluations
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Chain of custody forms (CCFs)
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Test result records
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MIS worksheet copies or drafts
Regulatory References
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49 CFR Part 40, Subpart T – Procedures for submitting MIS data
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49 CFR §382.403 – FMCSA-specific MIS reporting requirements
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Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC) – MIS Report Form and Instructions
Last updated: May 29, 2025
This article reflects DOT regulations effective as of this date.
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