Individuals who hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) are often held to a higher standard on the road - and for good reason. Most of the time, commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are very large and can do a lot more damage to property and other vehicles when they are involved in a collision. This is why there are certain actions that can result in the disqualification of a CDL. Some of these actions are illegal no matter what type of license that a driver holds, but many are also specific to CMVs. 

Losing a CDL can affect you differently than losing your personal driver’s license. If you have made a career out of operating a CMV, your job and finances could suffer greatly if you are disqualified from holding a CDL. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed guidelines for how CDL violations are categorized and how they are punished.

Major Offenses

Certain offenses are more serious than others, and major offenses typically have the most serious penalties, with first time offenders receiving a one-year disqualification. Major offenses include: