However, you may face invasion of privacy. As a driver, you will be subjected to things that anyone else would consider an invasion of privacy. There will be days when you make it through all of the weigh stations without having to get out of your truck, but there will be other days when you will go through a thorough vehicle inspection or maybe have your paperwork and logbook checked several times.
The most serious checks, though, are in the drug-testing area. You will be required to take a drug test every two years with your DOT (Department of Transportation) physical; your company must random test all of their drivers, meaning that you may have to take a test at any time; and you will automatically have to get a drug test if you are in an accident, even though the driver of a car involved in the same accident will not be required to do so unless required by a law-enforcement officer. This area is in a state of flux because of pilot testing programs, pending legislation, and court challenges, but some state and federal legislators would like to see forced random testing at any time.
There is no place for drugs in the driving profession, and no doubt anyone with a drug problem should be eliminated from the profession immediately, but if the general driving public had to abide by the same rules, there would likely be a revolt, probably with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) involved. Can you imagine what would happen if cars were randomly stopped and the drivers forced to give a urine sample on the spot?
The bottom line is that if you want to be a truck driver, you must be willing to pee in a bottle on command. In most cases, these samples are taken in a professional and courteous manner, but they may still rub you the wrong way.
