CDL Disqualifications: What Potential Drivers Need to Know
For many, getting behind the wheel of a truck and hitting the open road offers a sense of freedom. Being able to make a fulfilling career out of something you love is what most only dream of, however, with the right truck driver training, becoming a full-time truck driver is within reach. But to get and maintain your CDL, you’ll need to keep your record clean.
Here, the team at Driving Academy, operating CDL driving schools in locations across the country, discusses CDL disqualifications and how they may impact your career.
What Is a CDL?
A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is a license issued by your state that allows you to operate commercial vehicles. There are several different classes, each of which allows you to drive different types of vehicles. A Class A CDL, for instance, allows you to operate a vehicle with a gross combination weight rating (GVWR) of over 26,000 pounds (with the towed vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds). Examples include flatbeds, tractor-trailers, and tanker vehicles. Alternatively, a Class B CDL allows the operation of a single vehicle that isn’t hitched to a trailer, such as a box truck, dump truck, or school bus, or tow a trailer weighing less than 10,000 pounds.
There are also endorsements drivers can get to enhance their capabilities. These may allow them to transport a certain number of passengers, hazardous materials, liquids, and more.
What Are CDL Disqualifications?
As is the case with a standard driver’s license, you need to follow the rules of the road to keep your CDL active. These disqualifications come with temporary or permanent withdrawal of your license. The state in which your license is held will determine the severity of the penalty, but it is usually at least 60 days. This means you’ll be unable to perform your duties as a truck driver, which will negatively impact your career.
There are both serious traffic offenses that will have consequences for your license. While a single serious traffic offense may not result in disqualifications, the accumulation of several of them will. While these offenses may vary from state to state, common disqualifying offenses include:
- Following a vehicle too closely
- Reckless driving
- Excessive speeding (15 or more mph over the limit)
- Texting or using a cell phone while driving
- Changing lanes erratically
- Driving without your CDL
- Any violation associated with a fatal accident
- Driving a vehicle not covered by your active CDL
These violations can result in disqualifications of different lengths, ranging from 60 days for those who have committed two serious traffic violations within a three-year period to lifetime disqualifications.
Major offenses have less to do with road violations and more to do with illegal activity committed while behind the wheel. These offenses not only will result in a suspension of your license but may even land you in prison. Examples include:
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs
- Possessing or transporting narcotics
- Fleeing the scene of an accident
- Using a commercial motor vehicle to commit a felony
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license
- Causing a death
Aside from these offenses, there are other reasons one might face a CDL disqualification, including medical reasons. If you have epilepsy, hearing or vision loss, or diabetes, you may be disqualified.
How To Remove These CDL Restrictions
In most cases, serious traffic offenses will simply require you to wait the allotted time before allowing you to use your CDL again, along with potentially paying a restoration fee. However, you may be able to appeal the disqualification through the court with jurisdiction where the offense occurred. If a medical condition is the reason for your CDL disqualification, you can apply for an exemption.
The Driving Academy Difference
At Driving Academy, we pride ourselves on our ability to help people get their CDLs through in-depth CDL instruction and hands-on, practical training. Our experienced instructors provide you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need for life on the road. We offer a fleet of vehicles and simulators to help you train behind the wheel, and our flexible schedules are designed to meet the needs of today’s students and their busy lives. That’s why we also provide some coursework that can be completed online and a study guide to help you prepare for the CDL test.
We also work hard to make payments affordable so you can focus on learning. After you’ve completed one of our programs, we’ll help you find work with our lifetime job placement assistance. If you’re ready to start on the path toward earning a CDL in Florida, Indiana, New Jersey (Jackson Township, Linden, or Wayne), or Oregon, contact us today to learn more about our CDL driver training. More locations are coming soon!