49 C.F.R. § 383.51
(a) General.
(b) Disqualification for major offenses. Table 1 to § 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:
| If a driver operates a motor vehicle and is convicted of: | For a first conviction or refusal to be tested while operating a CMV, a person required to have a CLP or CDL and a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * * | For a first conviction or refusal to be tested while operating a non-CMV, a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * * | For a first conviction or refusal to be tested while operating a CMV transporting hazardous materials as defined in § 383.5, a person required to have a CLP or CDL and a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * * | For a second conviction or refusal to be tested in a separate incident of any combination of offenses in this Table while operating a CMV, a person required to have a CLP or CDL and a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * * | For a second conviction or refusal to be tested in a separate incident of any combination of offenses in this Table while operating a non-CMV, a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * * |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) Being under the influence of alcohol as prescribed by State law * * * | 1 year | 1 year | 3 years | Life | Life. |
| (2) Being under the influence of a controlled substance * * * | 1 year | 1 year | 3 years | Life | Life. |
| (3) Having an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater while operating a CMV * * * | 1 year | Not applicable | 3 years | Life | Not applicable. |
| (4) Refusing to take an alcohol test as required by a State or jurisdiction under its implied consent laws or regulations as defined in § 383.72 of this part * * * | 1 year | 1 year | 3 years | Life | Life. |
| (5) Leaving the scene of an accident * * * | 1 year | 1 year | 3 years | Life | Life. |
| (6) Using the vehicle to commit a felony, other than a felony described in paragraph (b)(9) or (10) of this table * * * | 1 year | 1 year | 3 years | Life | Life. |
| (7) Driving a CMV when, as a result 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 | 1 year | Not applicable | 3 years | Life | Not applicable. |
| (8) Causing a fatality through the negligent operation of a CMV, including but not limited to the crimes of motor vehicle manslaughter, homicide by motor vehicle and negligent homicide | 1 year | Not applicable | 3 years | Life | Not applicable. |
| (9) Using the vehicle in the commission of a felony involving manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled substance * * * | Life-not eligible for 10-year reinstatement | Life-not eligible for 10-year reinstatement | Life-not eligible for 10-year reinstatement | Life-not eligible for 10-year reinstatement | Life-not eligible for 10-year reinstatement |
| (10) Using a CMV in the commission of a felony involving an act or practice of severe forms of trafficking in persons, as defined and described in 22 U.S.C. 7102(11) | Life—not eligible for 10-year reinstatement | Not applicable | Life—not eligible for 10-year reinstatement | Life—not eligible for 10-year reinstatement | Not applicable. |
(c) Disqualification for serious traffic violations. Table 2 to § 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:
| If the driver operates a motor vehicle and is convicted of: | For a second conviction of any combination of offenses in this Table in a separate incident within a 3-year period while operating a CMV, a person required to have a CLP or CDL and a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * * | For a second conviction of any combination of offenses in this Table in a separate incident within a 3-year period while operating a non-CMV, a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV, if the conviction results in the revocation, cancellation, or suspension of the CLP or CDL holder's license or non-CMV driving privileges, for * * * | For a third or subsequent conviction of any combination of offenses in this Table in a separate incident within a 3-year period while operating a CMV, a person required to have a CLP or CDL and a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * * | For a third or subsequent conviction of any combination of offenses in this Table in a separate incident within a 3-year period while operating a non-CMV, a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV, if the conviction results in the revocation, cancellation, or suspension of the CLP or CDL holder's license or non-CMV driving privileges, for * * * |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) Speeding excessively, involving any speed of 24.1 kmph (15 mph) or more above the regulated or posted speed limit | 60 days | 60 days | 120 days | 120 days. |
| (2) Driving recklessly, as 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 | 60 days | 60 days | 120 days | 120 days. |
| (3) Making improper or erratic traffic lane changes | 60 days | 60 days | 120 days | 120 days. |
| (4) Following the vehicle ahead too closely | 60 days | 60 days | 120 days | 120 days. |
| (5) Violating State or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control (other than a parking violation) arising in connection with a fatal accident | 60 days | 60 days | 120 days | 120 days. |
| (6) Driving a CMV without obtaining a CLP or CDL | 60 days | Not applicable | 120 days | Not applicable. |
| (7) Driving a CMV without a CLP or CDL in the driver's possession 1 | 60 days | Not applicable | 120 days | Not applicable. |
| (8) Driving a CMV without the 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 | 60 days | Not applicable | 120 days | Not applicable. |
| (9) Violating a State or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic control prohibiting texting while driving a CMV.2 | 60 days | Not applicable | 120 days | Not applicable. |
| (10) Violating a State or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic control restricting or prohibiting the use of a hand-held mobile telephone while driving a CMV.2 | 60 days | Not applicable | 120 days | Not applicable. |
| 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 § 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:
| If the driver is convicted of operating a CMV in violation of a Federal, State or local law because * * *. | For a first conviction a person required to have a CLP or CDL and a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * * | For a second conviction of any combination of offenses in this Table in a separate incident within a 3-year period, a person required to have a CLP or CDL and a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * * | For a third or subsequent conviction of any combination of offenses in this Table in a separate incident within a 3-year period, a person required to have a CLP or CDL and a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * * |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) The driver is not required to always stop, but fails to slow down and check that tracks are clear of an approaching train * * * | No less than 60 days | No less than 120 days | No less than 1 year. |
| (2) The driver is not required to always stop, but fails to stop before reaching the crossing, if the tracks are not clear * * * | No less than 60 days | No less than 120 days | No less than 1 year. |
| (3) The driver is always required to stop, but fails to stop before driving onto the crossing * * * | No less than 60 days | No less than 120 days | No less than 1 year. |
| (4) The driver fails to have sufficient space to drive completely through the crossing without stopping * * * | No less than 60 days | No less than 120 days | No less than 1 year. |
| (5) The driver fails to obey a traffic control device or the directions of an enforcement official at the crossing * * * | No less than 60 days | No less than 120 days | No less than 1 year. |
| (6) The driver fails to negotiate a crossing because of insufficient undercarriage clearance * * * | No less than 60 days | No less than 120 days | No less than 1 year. |
(e) Disqualification for violating out-of-service orders. Table 4 to § 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:
| If the driver operates a CMV and is convicted of * * * | For a first conviction while operating a CMV, a person required to have a CLP or CDL and a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * * | For a second conviction in a separate incident within a 10-year period while operating a CMV, a person required to have a CLP or CDL and a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * * | For a third or subsequent conviction in a separate incident within a 10-year period while operating a CMV, a person required to have a CLP or CDL and a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * * |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) Violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting nonhazardous materials | No less than 180 days or more than 1 year | No less than 2 years or more than 5 years | No less than 3 years or more than 5 years. |
| (2) Violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials as defined in § 383.5, or while operating a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver | No less than 180 days or more than 2 years | No less than 3 years or more than 5 years | No less than 3 years or more than 5 years. |
[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; 84 FR 35338, July 23, 2019; 86 FR 35640, July 7, 2021]