Tacoma and the surrounding Pierce County communities, including Fife, Puyallup, Lakewood and the Frederickson area, are home to a large number of port, warehouse and regional trucking operations. For these employers, DOT testing is rarely a one-time event. It is an ongoing program with pre-employment tests, quarterly random selections, occasional post-accident tests and Clearinghouse obligations.
Test Pro LLC is based in Kent, Washington, north of Tacoma along the SR-167 and I-5 corridors. We do not have an office in Tacoma. We serve Tacoma-area employers and drivers at our Kent office and can help coordinate testing at an appropriate collection site closer to a Pierce County ZIP code when that makes more sense.
Common DOT testing needs for Tacoma employers
The Tacoma employers we hear from most often include:
- Drayage carriers serving the Port of Tacoma and the Tideflats terminals
- Warehouse and distribution fleets in Fife, Sumner and the Frederickson industrial area
- Construction, aggregate and excavation companies with CDL dump truck and equipment drivers
- Small fleets and owner-operators running regional routes on I-5 and SR-167
Each of these employers needs a written DOT testing program, a way to run random selections, a reliable place for drivers to test, and records that are ready for an audit. Our guide to FMCSA drug and alcohol testing for motor carriers covers the overall program.
Post-accident testing on I-5 and in the port area
Post-accident testing is where location matters most for Tacoma carriers. Under FMCSA rules, a post-accident test is required when an accident meets specific criteria, for example when there is a fatality, or when the driver receives a citation and the accident involved an injury treated away from the scene or a vehicle that had to be towed. When a test is required:
- The alcohol test should be performed within 2 hours of the accident. If it is not done within 2 hours, the employer must document why, and must stop trying to test for alcohol after 8 hours.
- The drug test must be performed within 32 hours. After 32 hours, the employer must stop trying and document the reason.
A driver involved in an accident near the Tacoma Dome interchange or on the Tideflats may not be able to reach Kent quickly. In that situation, the priority is testing within the deadline at an appropriate collection site. Contact Test Pro LLC and tell us the test reason and the driver's location so we can help arrange collection. Our post-accident drug testing service page and post-accident employer questions explain the process.
Random selections for Pierce County fleets
FMCSA-regulated employers must test a minimum percentage of their drivers at random each year, with selections spread reasonably throughout the year. Small Tacoma fleets and owner-operators usually meet this requirement by joining a consortium random pool rather than running their own. When a driver is selected, they must proceed to testing immediately after notification, so dispatchers should plan the driver's route to a collection site before notifying them.
See 2026 FMCSA Random Drug Testing Rates for this year's minimum rates, and how random drug testing programs work for the basics.
Testing at the Test Pro Kent office
For pre-employment tests, scheduled randoms and follow-up tests, many Tacoma employers send drivers to our office:
10803 SE Kent-Kangley Rd, Suite 202
Kent, WA 98030
Walk-in testing is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with appointments after 2:00 PM. You can book online or call 206-518-2097. Drivers should bring a government-issued photo ID and know which employer the test is for and why it is being performed.
Breath alcohol testing for Tacoma employers
DOT alcohol tests are performed by a trained Breath Alcohol Technician using approved evidential breath testing devices, not a urine sample. Test Pro LLC provides DOT breath alcohol testing for pre-employment (where the employer's program includes it), random, post-accident, reasonable-suspicion, return-to-duty and follow-up testing.
Keep your Tacoma program audit-ready
FMCSA investigators and auditors look for evidence that the program actually runs as written: random selections, completed tests, Clearinghouse queries, and supervisor training. Our article on DOT drug testing records for an audit lists what to keep and for how long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Test Pro LLC have a location in Tacoma?
No. Test Pro LLC's office is in Kent, Washington. We serve Tacoma and Pierce County employers from Kent and can help arrange testing at an appropriate collection site closer to the driver when needed.
What if a driver cannot get to a collection site within 32 hours after an accident?
The employer must stop attempting the drug test after 32 hours and prepare a record explaining why it was not performed. The same applies to alcohol testing after 8 hours. Arranging a nearby collection site quickly helps avoid missing these deadlines.
Can a Tacoma owner-operator join a random consortium?
Yes. Owner-operators who hold a CDL must be in a random testing pool, and joining a consortium managed by a C/TPA is the usual way to do that. See our DOT consortium enrollment page.
Do DOT alcohol tests use urine?
No. DOT alcohol tests use breath (or, for screening only, approved saliva devices) and are performed by a trained technician. DOT drug tests use urine collected under 49 CFR Part 40 procedures.
Get DOT testing support for your Tacoma operation
Whether you manage a port drayage fleet or drive as an owner-operator, Test Pro LLC can help with DOT drug testing, random consortium enrollment and Clearinghouse support. Book an appointment or contact Test Pro LLC.