If you drive for a living, you often require a commercial driver’s license. However, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles can disqualify you from driving commercial vehicles if convicted of certain traffic violations.
If the violation is serious enough, it may count against you even if it occurred while you were driving a non-commercial vehicle. Serious violations and/or repeat convictions may incur a lifetime disqualification. However, the disqualification is usually temporary. Depending on the seriousness of the offense, it can range from 60 days to several years.
Serious violations
Two or more convictions on serious violations can lead to a 60-day disqualification, while three or more convictions may result in a 120-day disqualification. Serious violations include:
- Driving a commercial vehicle without a CDL
- Exceeding the speed limit by at least 15 miles per hour
- Texting while operating a commercial vehicle.
Reckless driving of any sort is a serious violation that could result in disqualification.
Major violations
A major violation could result in a one-year disqualification from commercial driving. If you were transporting hazardous materials at the time of the alleged offense, the disqualification could be three years. Repeat conviction on charges of major violations could result in a lifetime disqualification. Major violations include making a false statement on a CDL application, failing to stop at the scene of an accident causing injury or death and using a commercial vehicle to commit a felony.
Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a major violation. This includes having a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.04%, which is lower than the legal limit for non-commercial drivers in most states. You may also face disqualification for refusing to submit a breath or blood sample for alcohol testing upon request.
