BAT Breath Alcohol Technician Testing Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under DOT regulations, what is the BAT's responsibility if a subject refuses to sign the Federal Breath Alcohol Testing Form?
- Cancel the test and note the refusal on the form
- Sign on the subject's behalf and proceed
- Note the refusal on the form and continue processing (Correct answer)
- Require a supervisor to be present before completing the form
Correct answer: Note the refusal on the form and continue processing
If a subject refuses to sign the form, the BAT notes this refusal on the form and completes the testing process; the test result is still valid.
Question 2: An EBT confirmation test result is 0.039. How should the BAT record this result?
- 0.03
- 0.039 (Correct answer)
- 0.04
- 0.040
Correct answer: 0.039
BATs must record EBT results as shown on the device display, not rounded or truncated, so 0.039 is recorded as 0.039.
Question 3: A subject claims they used mouthwash right before the test. What is the BAT's correct action?
- Proceed immediately since mouthwash is not a food or beverage
- Restart the 15-minute observation period (Correct answer)
- Void the test and send the subject for a blood test
- Document the claim but proceed with the test as scheduled
Correct answer: Restart the 15-minute observation period
Mouthwash can contain alcohol and constitutes oral intake, requiring the BAT to restart the full 15-minute observation period.
Question 4: Which EBT quality assurance procedure must be performed at a minimum of every 10 days or 10 uses, whichever comes first?
- External calibration check
- Air blank test
- Alcohol standard calibration check (Correct answer)
- Device firmware update
Correct answer: Alcohol standard calibration check
DOT requires an external calibration check using a known alcohol standard at least every 10 days or 10 uses to verify EBT accuracy.
Question 5: If a confirmation EBT test result and a screening test result differ significantly, which result is used to make the employment action determination?
- The screening test result
- The confirmation test result (Correct answer)
- The average of the two results
- The lower of the two results
Correct answer: The confirmation test result
Only the confirmation test result is used to make employment action determinations; the screening test merely identifies whether confirmation testing is needed.
Question 6: A subject arrives for testing and tells the BAT they are taking a prescription medication. What should the BAT do?
- Cancel the test until a physician clears the subject
- Note the information and proceed with the test normally (Correct answer)
- Contact the MRO for guidance before testing
- Require written documentation of the prescription
Correct answer: Note the information and proceed with the test normally
The BAT's role is to conduct the breath alcohol test; medication disclosures are not within the BAT's purview and do not alter the testing procedure.
Question 7: What action must the BAT take when a subject leaves the collection site before the testing process is complete without the BAT's permission?
- Record the result as 0.00 and note the departure
- Document the departure and report it to the DER as a refusal (Correct answer)
- Contact law enforcement immediately
- Wait 30 minutes, then record a refusal
Correct answer: Document the departure and report it to the DER as a refusal
An unauthorized departure from the collection site before testing is complete is treated as a refusal to test, and the BAT must notify the Designated Employer Representative.
BAT Breath Alcohol Technician Testing Procedures 3
Under DOT regulations, what is the BAT's responsibility if a subject refuses to sign the Federal Breath Alcohol Testing Form?