Code of Federal Regulations (alpha)

CFR /  Title 49  /  Part 383  /  Sec. 383.51 Disqualification of drivers.

(a) General. (1) A person required to have a CLP or CDL who is disqualified must not drive a CMV.

(1) A person required to have a CLP or CDL who is disqualified must not drive a CMV.

(2) An employer must not knowingly allow, require, permit, or authorize a driver who is disqualified to drive a CMV.

(3) A holder of a CLP or CDL is subject to disqualification sanctions designated in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, if the holder drives a CMV or non-CMV and is convicted of the violations listed in those paragraphs.

(4) Determining first and subsequent violations. For purposes of determining first and subsequent violations of the offenses specified in this subpart, each conviction for any offense listed in Tables 1 through 4 to this section resulting from a separate incident, whether committed in a CMV or non-CMV, must be counted.

(5) The disqualification period must be in addition to any other previous periods of disqualification.

(6) Reinstatement after lifetime disqualification. A State may reinstate any driver disqualified for life for offenses described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (8) of this section (Table 1 to Sec. 383.51) after 10 years, if that person has voluntarily entered and successfully completed an appropriate rehabilitation program approved by the State. Any person who has been reinstated in accordance with this provision and who is subsequently convicted of a disqualifying offense described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (8) of this section (Table 1 to Sec. 383.51) must not be reinstated.

(7) A foreign commercial driver is subject to disqualification under this subpart.

(b) Disqualification for major offenses. Table 1 to Sec. 383.51 contains a list of the offenses and periods for which a person who is required to have a CLP or CDL is disqualified, depending upon the type of vehicle the driver is operating at the time of the violation, as follows:

Table 1 to Sec. 383.51--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For a first For a second

conviction or refusal conviction or refusal For a second

For a first conviction to be tested while to be tested in a conviction or refusal

or refusal to be For a first conviction operating a CMV separate incident of to be tested in a

tested while operating or refusal to be transporting any combination of separate incident of

a CMV, a person tested while operating hazardous materials offenses in this any combination of

If a driver operates a motor required to have a CLP a non-CMV, a CLP or as defined in Sec. Table while operating offenses in this

vehicle and is convicted of: or CDL and a CLP or CDL holder must be 383.5, a person a CMV, a person Table while operating

CDL holder must be disqualified from required to have a required to have a a non-CMV, a CLP or

disqualified from operating a CMV for * CLP or CDL and a CLP CLP or CDL and a CLP CDL holder must be

operating a CMV for * * * or CDL holder must be or CDL holder must be disqualified from

* * disqualified from disqualified from operating a CMV for *

operating a CMV for * operating a CMV for * * *

(1) Being under the influence of 1 year................ 1 year................ 3 years.............. Life................. Life.

alcohol as prescribed by State law

* * *.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(2) Being under the influence of a 1 year................ 1 year................ 3 years.............. Life................. Life.

controlled substance * * *.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(3) Having an alcohol concentration 1 year................ Not applicable........ 3 years.............. Life................. Not applicable.

of 0.04 or greater while operating

a CMV * * *.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(4) Refusing to take an alcohol 1 year................ 1 year................ 3 years.............. Life................. Life.

test as required by a State or

jurisdiction under its implied

consent laws or regulations as

defined in Sec. 383.72 of this

part * * *.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(5) Leaving the scene of an 1 year................ 1 year................ 3 years.............. Life................. Life.

accident * * *.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(6) Using the vehicle to commit a 1 year................ 1 year................ 3 years.............. Life................. Life.

felony, other than a felony

described in paragraph (b)(9) of

this table * * *.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(7) Driving a CMV when, as a result 1 year................ Not applicable........ 3 years.............. Life................. Not applicable.

of prior violations committed

operating a CMV, the driver's CLP

or CDL is revoked, suspended, or

canceled, or the driver is

disqualified from operating a CMV.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(8) Causing a fatality through the 1 year................ Not applicable........ 3 years.............. Life................. Not applicable.

negligent operation of a CMV,

including but not limited to the

crimes of motor vehicle

manslaughter, homicide by motor

vehicle and negligent homicide.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(9) Using the vehicle in the Life-not eligible for Life-not eligible for Life-not eligible for Life-not eligible for Life-not eligible for

commission of a felony involving 10-year reinstatement. 10-year reinstatement. 10-year 10-year 10-year

manufacturing, distributing, or reinstatement. reinstatement. reinstatement

dispensing a controlled substance

* * *.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(c) Disqualification for serious traffic violations. Table 2 to Sec. 383.51 contains a list of the offenses and the periods for which a person who is required to have a CLP or CDL is disqualified, depending upon the type of vehicle the driver is operating at the time of the violation, as follows:

Table 2 to Sec. 383.51----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For a third or

For a second subsequent

conviction of any conviction of any

combination of combination of

For a second offenses in this For a third or offenses in this

conviction of any Table in a subsequent Table in a

combination of separate incident conviction of any separate incident

offenses in this within a 3-year combination of within a 3-year

Table in a period while offenses in this period while

separate incident operating a non- Table in a operating a non-

within a 3-year CMV, a CLP or CDL separate incident CMV, a CLP or CDL

If the driver operates a motor period while holder must be within a 3-year holder must be

vehicle and is convicted of: operating a CMV, a disqualified from period while disqualified from

person required to operating a CMV, operating a CMV, a operating a CMV,

have a CLP or CDL if the conviction person required to if the conviction

and a CLP or CDL results in the have a CLP or CDL results in the

holder must be revocation, and a CLP or CDL revocation,

disqualified from cancellation, or holder must be cancellation, or

operating a CMV suspension of the disqualified from suspension of the

for * * * CLP or CDL operating a CMV CLP or CDL

holder's license for * * * holder's license

or non-CMV driving or non-CMV driving

privileges, for * privileges, for *

(1) Speeding excessively, 60 days........... 60 days........... 120 days.......... 120 days.

involving any speed of 24.1

kmph (15 mph) or more above the

regulated or posted speed limit.(2) Driving recklessly, as 60 days........... 60 days........... 120 days.......... 120 days.

defined by State or local law

or regulation, including but,

not limited to, offenses of

driving a motor vehicle in

willful or wanton disregard for

the safety of persons or

property.(3) Making improper or erratic 60 days........... 60 days........... 120 days.......... 120 days.

traffic lane changes.(4) Following the vehicle ahead 60 days........... 60 days........... 120 days.......... 120 days.

too closely.

(5) Violating State or local law 60 days........... 60 days........... 120 days.......... 120 days.

relating to motor vehicle

traffic control (other than a

parking violation) arising in

connection with a fatal

accident.(6) Driving a CMV without 60 days........... Not applicable.... 120 days.......... Not applicable.

obtaining a CLP or CDL.(7) Driving a CMV without a CLP 60 days........... Not applicable.... 120 days.......... Not applicable.

or CDL in the driver's

possession \1\.(8) Driving a CMV without the 60 days........... Not applicable.... 120 days.......... Not applicable.

proper class of CLP or CDL and/

or endorsements for the

specific vehicle group being

operated or for the passengers

or type of cargo being

transported.(9) Violating a State or local 60 days........... Not applicable.... 120 days.......... Not applicable.

law or ordinance on motor

vehicle traffic control

prohibiting texting while

driving a CMV.\2\.(10) Violating a State or local 60 days........... Not applicable.... 120 days.......... Not applicable.

law or ordinance on motor

vehicle traffic control

restricting or prohibiting the

use of a hand-held mobile

telephone while driving a

CMV.\2\.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\Any individual who provides proof to the enforcement authority that issued the citation, by the date the

individual must appear in court or pay any fine for such a violation, that the individual held a valid CLP or

CDL on the date the citation was issued, shall not be guilty of this offense.\2\ Driving, for the purpose of this disqualification, means operating a commercial motor vehicle on a highway,

including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary

delays. Driving does not include operating a commercial motor vehicle when the driver has moved the vehicle to

the side of, or off, a highway and has halted in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary.

(d) Disqualification for railroad-highway grade crossing offenses. Table 3 to Sec. 383.51 contains a list of the offenses and the periods for which a person who is required to have a CLP or CDL is disqualified, when the driver is operating a CMV at the time of the violation, as follows:

Table 3 to Sec. 383.51----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For a third or subsequent

For a second conviction of conviction of any

any combination of combination of offenses

For a first conviction a offenses in this Table in in this Table in aIf the driver is convicted of person required to have a a separate incident within separate incident within

operating a CMV in violation CLP or CDL and a CLP or a 3-year period, a person a 3-year period, a person

of a Federal, State or local CDL holder must be required to have a CLP or required to have a CLP or

law because * * *. disqualified from CDL and a CLP or CDL CDL and a CLP or CDL

operating a CMV for * * * holder must be holder must be

disqualified from disqualified from

(1) The driver is not No less than 60 days...... No less than 120 days..... No less than 1 year.

required to always stop, but

fails to slow down and check

that tracks are clear of an

approaching train * * *.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(2) The driver is not No less than 60 days...... No less than 120 days..... No less than 1 year.

required to always stop, but

fails to stop before

reaching the crossing, if

the tracks are not clear * *

*.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(3) The driver is always No less than 60 days...... No less than 120 days..... No less than 1 year.

required to stop, but fails

to stop before driving onto

the crossing * * *.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(4) The driver fails to have No less than 60 days...... No less than 120 days..... No less than 1 year.

sufficient space to drive

completely through the

crossing without stopping *

* *.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(5) The driver fails to obey No less than 60 days...... No less than 120 days..... No less than 1 year.

a traffic control device or

the directions of an

enforcement official at the

crossing * * *.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(6) The driver fails to No less than 60 days...... No less than 120 days..... No less than 1 year.

negotiate a crossing because

of insufficient

undercarriage clearance * *

*.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(e) Disqualification for violating out-of-service orders. Table 4 to Sec. 383.51 contains a list of the offenses and periods for which a person who is required to have a CLP or CDL is disqualified when the driver is operating a CMV at the time of the violation, as follows:

TABLE 4 TO Sec. 383.51----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For a second conviction For a third or

in a separate incident subsequent conviction

For a first conviction within a 10-year period in a separate incident

while operating a CMV, while operating a CMV, within a 10-year period

a person required to a person required to while operating a CMV,

If the driver operates a CMV and is have a CLP or CDL and a have a CLP or CDL and a a person required to

convicted of * * * CLP or CDL holder must CLP or CDL holder must have a CLP or CDL and a

be disqualified from be disqualified from CLP or CDL holder must

operating a CMV for * * operating a CMV for * * be disqualified from

* * operating a CMV for * *

(1) Violating a driver or vehicle out- No less than 180 days No less than 2 years or No less than 3 years or

of-service order while transporting or more than 1 year. more than 5 years. more than 5 years.

nonhazardous materials.(2) Violating a driver or vehicle out- No less than 180 days No less than 3 years or No less than 3 years or

of-service order while transporting or more than 2 years. more than 5 years. more than 5 years.

hazardous materials as defined in

Sec. 383.5, or while operating a

vehicle designed to transport 16 or

more passengers, including the

driver.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [67 FR 49756, July 31, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 4396, Jan. 29, 2003; 72 FR 36787, July 5, 2007; 75 FR 59134, Sept. 27, 2010; 76 FR 26879, May 9, 2011; 76 FR 75486, Dec. 2, 2011; 77 FR 59825, Oct. 1, 2012; 78 FR 58479, Sept. 24, 2013; 78 FR 60231, Oct. 1, 2013]