CDL disqualifications — the complete federal tables

A commercial driver’s license can be disqualified — taken away for a set period — for violations the federal government defines, not the state. The rules live in 49 CFR §383.51, set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA); they apply in every state, and the California DMV administers them. Many of them count violations committed in any vehicle, including your personal car.

The CDL guide covers the headline disqualifications at a glance. This page is the complete tables — every category, with the exact periods. It describes the federal rules; it is not legal advice. Disqualification cases turn on specific facts and prior history, so for your own situation go to the FMCSA or the DMV, and consider legal counsel.

Major violations (Table 1)

[Federal] The most serious category. A first conviction disqualifies a CDL for 1 year — or 3 years if it happened while driving a vehicle placarded for hazardous materials. A second major violation (in any combination) is a lifetime disqualification, which a state may reduce to 10 years after a driver completes an approved rehabilitation program. Using a vehicle to commit a felony involving the manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance is a lifetime disqualification on the first offense, with no reduction.

The major violations:

• Driving a commercial vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% or more
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance
• Refusing a required alcohol or chemical test
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Using a vehicle to commit a felony
• Driving a commercial vehicle while your CDL is disqualified, revoked, suspended, or cancelled
• Causing a fatality through the negligent operation of a commercial vehicle

A DUI counts whether it happened in a commercial vehicle or your personal car. The 0.04% commercial threshold is half the 0.08% limit for a personal vehicle.

Serious violations (Table 2)

[Federal] A first serious violation carries no disqualification. A second within three years disqualifies the CDL for 60 days, and a third within three years for 120 days.

The serious violations:

• Speeding 15 mph or more over the limit
• Reckless driving
• Improper or erratic lane changes
• Following the vehicle ahead too closely
• A traffic violation (other than parking) committed in connection with a fatal accident
• Driving a commercial vehicle without the proper class of CDL or endorsement
• Driving a commercial vehicle without the CDL in your possession
• Texting or using a hand-held phone while driving a commercial vehicle

Railroad-crossing violations (Table 3)

[Federal] For violations at a highway-rail grade crossing while operating a commercial vehicle — failing to slow or stop, not leaving enough room to clear the crossing, or disobeying a signal or gate — the periods are: at least 60 days (first conviction), at least 120 days (second within three years), and at least 1 year (third or more within three years).

Out-of-service violations (Table 4)

[Federal] For driving in violation of an out-of-service order (continuing to drive after an inspector has ordered the driver or vehicle out of service), the periods are ranges, and they run longer for hazardous-materials or passenger vehicles:

• Carrying non-hazardous freight — first: 180 days to 1 year · second (within 10 years): 2 to 5 years · third or more: 3 to 5 years
• Carrying placarded hazardous materials, or a vehicle designed for 16 or more passengers — first: 180 days to 2 years · second: 3 to 5 years · third or more: 3 to 5 years

These are federal periods with serious, livelihood-level consequences, and the exact outcome depends on your record. For how a disqualification applies to your case — or to challenge one — go to the FMCSA or the California DMV.