46 CFR 16.109: Public Interest Exclusion for service agents

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says service agents are subject to Public Interest Exclusion (PIE) actions in accordance with 49 CFR Part 40, subpart R. A PIE excludes a service agent from participation in DOT's drug and alcohol testing program. It applies to a service agent who, by serious noncompliance with this part or with 49 CFR part 40, has shown it is not currently acting in a responsible manner.

Applies toThis section applies to service agents.

What it says

  1. Service agents are subject to Public Interest Exclusion (PIE) actions in accordance with 49 CFR Part 40, subpart R.

    “Service agents are subject to Public Interest Exclusion (PIE) actions in accordance with 49 CFR Part 40, subpart R.”

  2. The PIE is an action that excludes a service agent from participation in DOT's drug and alcohol testing program.

    “The PIE is an action which excludes from participation in DOT's drug and alcohol testing program any service agent”

  3. A PIE applies to a service agent who, by serious noncompliance with this part or with 49 CFR part 40, has shown it is not currently acting in a responsible manner.

    “by serious noncompliance with this part or with 49 CFR part 40, has shown that it is not currently acting in a responsible manner.”

Common questions

What is a Public Interest Exclusion (PIE)?

A PIE is an action that excludes a service agent from participation in DOT's drug and alcohol testing program.

“The PIE is an action which excludes from participation in DOT's drug and alcohol testing program any service agent”

Who is subject to a PIE under 46 CFR 16.109?

Service agents are subject to PIE actions in accordance with 49 CFR Part 40, subpart R.

“Service agents are subject to Public Interest Exclusion (PIE) actions in accordance with 49 CFR Part 40, subpart R.”

Why can a service agent be excluded under a PIE?

A service agent can be excluded if serious noncompliance with this part or with 49 CFR part 40 shows it is not currently acting in a responsible manner.

“by serious noncompliance with this part or with 49 CFR part 40, has shown that it is not currently acting in a responsible manner.”

The text of 46 CFR 16.109

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Public Interest Exclusion (PIE)

Service agents are subject to Public Interest Exclusion (PIE) actions in accordance with 49 CFR Part 40, subpart R. The PIE is an action which excludes from participation in DOT's drug and alcohol testing program any service agent who, by serious noncompliance with this part or with 49 CFR part 40, has shown that it is not currently acting in a responsible manner.

Sections it refers to

  • 49 CFR Part 40, subpart R
  • 49 CFR part 40

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.