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DOT MIS Reporting for 2025: What Employers Must Submit by March 15, 2026

For DOT-regulated employers, drug and alcohol testing compliance does not end with conducting tests. Each year, employers may also be required to submit Management Information System (MIS) data to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

For 2025 testing data, the submission deadline is March 15, 2026. This is a firm compliance requirement under 49 CFR Part 40, and missing it can lead to audit findings later in the year.

This article explains what MIS reporting is, who must report, what must be submitted, and how employers can avoid common mistakes.

What Is DOT MIS Reporting?

MIS reporting is the DOT’s method for collecting annual drug and alcohol testing statistics from regulated employers. The data helps the DOT monitor compliance trends, positivity rates, and enforcement priorities across transportation industries.
MIS reports include data on:
  • Number of tests conducted by type
  • Positive drug and alcohol results
  • Refusals to test
  • Return-to-duty and follow-up testing activity

The reporting process is administered by the Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance, which publishes official instructions and reporting forms.

Official source:
https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/MISreporting

Who Must Submit MIS Data

MIS reporting applies to employers regulated by DOT agencies, including:
  • Motor carriers regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
  • Transit agencies (FTA)
  • Railroads (FRA)
  • Aviation employers (FAA)
  • Pipeline operators (PHMSA)
  • U.S. Coast Guard employers

Each DOT agency determines which employers must report, but all required reports share the same deadline: March 15, 2026, for 2025 calendar-year data.

What the March 15, 2026, Deadline Covers

The March 15 deadline applies to all DOT drug and alcohol testing activity that occurred during calendar year 2025, regardless of when the employer began testing during the year.

ODAPC states clearly:
  • If you are required to submit drug and alcohol testing data for calendar year 2025, you must submit your data by March 15, 2026.
Failure to submit on time or submitting incomplete data may be cited during future compliance reviews.

How MIS Reporting Works

Accessing the Submission System

MIS data is submitted electronically using the DOT’s online reporting system. Access is provided through Login.gov, which employers must use to authenticate before submitting data.

Completing the MIS Form

DOT provides:
  • A standardized MIS data collection form
  • Detailed instructions for each reporting category
Employers must ensure all DOT-covered tests are reported correctly and consistently.

Submitting and Retaining Records

After submission, employers should retain:
  • A copy of the submitted MIS report
  • Supporting records used to compile the data

These records may be requested during audits.

ODAPC reporting instructions:
https://www.transportation.gov/odapc

Common MIS Reporting Errors

MIS reporting issues are often discovered months later during audits. Common problems include:

Incorrect Test Classification

DOT-compliant laboratory tests must be reported accurately. Misclassifying tests or including non-DOT tests can invalidate MIS data.

Employers can review the distinction between DOT lab testing and other methods in Instant vs. Lab-Based Drug Testing: Which Works Best for Employers?
https://www.quickscreen.com/news-updates/instant-vs-lab-based-drug-testing/

Missing or Incomplete Data

Leaving sections blank, entering zeros incorrectly, or failing to reconcile lab reports with internal records are frequent errors.

Confusing MIS Reporting With Clearinghouse Reporting

MIS reporting and Clearinghouse reporting are separate compliance obligations. Completing one does not satisfy the other.

For clarity on Clearinghouse obligations, see Clearinghouse Compliance Deadlines Employers Must Meet Before January 2026.

Why MIS Reporting Matters

MIS reporting is more than administrative paperwork. It is a documented compliance obligation under Part 40 and is used by DOT agencies to:
  • Evaluate employer compliance patterns
  • Track national testing trends
  • Support enforcement decisions

Employers should ensure their reporting aligns with the current DOT expectations outlined in DOT Issues Updated Employer Guidelines

What Employers Should Do Now

With the March 15, 2026 deadline approaching, employers should:
  • Compile all 2025 DOT drug and alcohol testing records
  • Verify counts against laboratory and MRO reports
  • Confirm Login.gov access for submission
  • Complete the MIS form carefully using DOT instructions
  • Submit before the deadline and retain confirmation

What This Means for Employers in 2026

MIS reporting is one of the most commonly overlooked DOT compliance requirements. Because it occurs once per year, it is often missed until an audit exposes the gap.
Submitting accurate, timely MIS data demonstrates that your testing program is not only active, but properly documented and managed.
QuickScreen supports DOT-regulated employers with compliant testing programs, documentation support, and guidance on regulatory reporting requirements.

Contact QuickScreen if you need help preparing or reviewing your MIS submission before the March 15, 2026 deadline.