A common questions we get from people who want to get into trucking is: Can you get a CDL license if you already have points on your regular driver’s license?
The short answer? Yes, in most cases, you can. But there’s a lot more to the story, and I want to make sure you understand the full picture before you walk into a DMV or enroll in a CDL program. Because knowing the rules isn’t just about getting the license. It’s about setting yourself up for a long, successful career in trucking.
If you have any questions, feel free to discuss it with our CDL Advisor!
The Basic Rule: Your License Must Be Valid
Here’s the number one thing you need to understand. As long as your current driver’s license is valid, (meaning it is not suspended, revoked, or on a probationary status) you can apply for a CDL license.
Whether you have two points on your license or five points , as long as that license is still valid and in good standing, you’re eligible to pursue your CDL. The points themselves don’t automatically disqualify you from getting licensed.
There are a few minimum requirements you need to meet no matter what:
- You must be at least 18 years old (21 to drive interstate or haul hazmat)
- You must pass a DOT physical exam to prove you’re medically fit to operate a commercial vehicle
- You must have a valid Social Security number and be legally authorized to obtain a CDL in the United States
- Your current driver’s license must be active and in good standing
If you check all those boxes, the points on your license don’t stand between you and your CDL. You’re good to go!
Not sure if you meet the requirements?
Talk to one of our CDL advisors today and let’s get you started.
What Will Actually Disqualify You From Getting a CDL?
Now let’s be straight with you, because there ARE violations and circumstances that will prevent you from getting a CDL, and you need to know what they are.
These are the hard disqualifiers:
- DUI or DWI — Operating any vehicle with a blood-alcohol level above 0.08%. For commercial vehicles specifically, the legal limit drops to 0.04%, and if you’re under 21 it’s 0.01%. A DUI is one of the most serious marks you can have on a driving record. learn more about getting a CDL with DUI.
- Leaving the scene of an accident — Also known as a hit and run. This is treated as a major offense in every state.
- Using a commercial vehicle to commit a felony — If a truck was involved in a criminal act, that’s an automatic flag.
- Vehicular manslaughter — Causing death with a vehicle is a permanent disqualifier.
- Driving under the influence of controlled substances
- A currently suspended or revoked license — You cannot apply for a CDL if your regular license is not valid. This one trips a lot of people up. You have to fix the suspension first.
On the flip side, things like minor speeding tickets, a parking violation, or a single lane-change infraction? Those kinds of everyday points are generally not going to stop you from getting your CDL. The key is the severity of the violations and the current status of your license.
How the Point System Actually Works
Let me walk you through how points work because it’s important for your future as a professional driver and not just for getting your CDL, but for keeping it.
Every state runs its own point system for regular driver’s licenses. When you get a traffic violation like speeding, reckless driving, following too closely, texting while driving, the state assigns a certain number of points to your record. Rack up too many points in a short window of time, and your license gets suspended.
Once you have your CDL, there’s a second, stricter point system that applies to you specifically as a commercial driver. Common violations that add points to a CDL include:
- Driving over the posted speed limit (especially 15+ mph over which is a “serious violation” in federal terms)
- Following too closely
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving without the required endorsements
- Not stopping at weigh stations
- Using a handheld device while driving a commercial vehicle
Here’s where it gets serious. Under federal FMCSA rules, if a CDL holder gets two serious traffic violations within three years, they face a 60-day disqualification. Three serious violations in three years? That’s a 120-day disqualification. And certain offenses such as a DUI or leaving the scene of an accident will result in a one-year CDL disqualification on the first offense, and a lifetime disqualification on the second.
How Points Affect Getting Hired
Okay, so here’s the part I really want you to know, because this is where a lot of people get blindsided.
Just because you can get a CDL with points on your license doesn’t mean finding a job will be easy. And I want to be upfront with you about that because I’d rather you know going in than be surprised later.
Think about it from an employer’s perspective. A trucking company is handing you the keys to a piece of equipment worth $150,000 or more. They’re responsible for that truck, their cargo, the public on the road, and their insurance rates. If they’re looking at two candidates, one with a clean record and one with five points. Which one do you think they’re going to call back first?
The clean record, every single time.
That said, it is absolutely not impossible to get hired with points on your license. The trucking industry is one of the most forgiving industries in the world when it comes to people’s past. There are large national carriers like Werner, Western Express, and others that specifically offer second-chance hiring programs. They’re investing in your future because the driver shortage is real and the demand for qualified CDL holders is not going away.
So if you’ve got points, is it harder? Yes.
Is it impossible? Absolutely not!
Companies That Will Hire Drivers With Points
If you have points on your license and you’re worried about job placement after getting your CDL, here’s the good news: there are carriers out there built specifically for drivers in your situation.
Large national carriers tend to have more flexibility than small regional fleets, for a few reasons. They have larger insurance programs, dedicated training departments, and the resources to onboard drivers with less-than-perfect records. Many of them use a 3-year or 5-year lookback window, meaning they’re only reviewing your recent history, not your entire record going back 20 years.
When applying to companies with points on your record:
- Be honest about your history. Don’t try to hide it! Carriers run your MVR (Motor Vehicle Record) as a standard part of the hiring process. If you’re upfront, you can control the narrative. If they find it on their own, you’ve already lost their trust.
- Be ready to tell your story. Trucking is still a people business. If you sit across from a recruiter and you can explain what happened, show that you’ve learned from it, and demonstrate your commitment to driving safely going forward, you have a real shot.
And here’s the thing nobody talks about enough: nobody is stopping you from buying your own truck and being your own boss. If companies won’t hire you right away, the owner-operator path is always open. As long as your license is valid and you’re willing to work for yourself, you can make money in trucking no matter what your history looks like. The road to ownership might just be your Level 2 move.
How to Reduce Points on Your License Before Applying
If you’re not in a rush and you want to improve your standing before getting your CDL, there are a few legitimate paths to reducing your points.
- Wait them out. Points don’t stay on your record forever. In most states, points from minor violations fall off your driving record after 1 to 3 years. If you’ve got time on your side, the cleanest move is simply to drive spotlessly clean from here on out and let the clock run.
- Take a defensive driving course. Many states allow regular (non-CDL) drivers to complete an approved defensive driving course to reduce points on their license. This option typically isn’t available once you hold a CDL, so if you’re still pre-CDL, this is worth looking into in your state.
- Fight the ticket in court. If you have a recent violation that added points, it’s worth consulting with a traffic attorney before you just pay it and move on. Many tickets can be reduced or dismissed through plea agreements, which can lower the points assigned — or remove them entirely from your record. A ticket that shows up as a lesser violation is always better than the full original charge.
Want a personalized plan for your situation?
Our CDL advisors can talk through your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A suspended or revoked license disqualifies you from applying for a CDL. You'll need to resolve the suspension first, get your regular license reinstated, and then you can begin the CDL process.
There's no single national number, it depends on your state's rules and the current validity of your license. The key is that your license must be active and not suspended. Some states have specific restrictions around recent point accumulation (for example, 6 points within the last 2 years in some states), so check with your local DMV.
Your driving record follows you. When you get a CDL, your history doesn't disappear, it's all there on your MVR. The good news is that minor points from years past carry less and less weight the longer you drive clean.
Yes. If you hold a CDL, violations in your personal vehicle can still impact your commercial driving record. The license is what matters, not the vehicle.
Yes, though it can be more challenging with some employers. Lifetime job placement assistance like what we offer here at Driving Academy will give you a better shot.
