Learn what violations will result in a disqualification of your CDL.
When can my CDL be suspended, revoked, or disqualified?
- If your personal Washington driver license is suspended, revoked, canceled, or surrendered for any reason
- If you commit any of the following violations:
- Driving a commercial motor vehicle with a suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified CDL
- Driving a commercial vehicle while under an out-of-service order
- Being reported as an imminent hazard by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Refusing to submit to a breath or blood test while driving any motor vehicle
- Driving a commercial motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.04 or more
- Conviction in court for driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Deferred prosecution (DUI conviction)
- Committing railroad-crossing violations while operating a commercial motor vehicle
- Committing 2 or more serious traffic offenses within 3 years, in separate incidents
- Committing 2 or more violations, in separate incidents
- Leaving the scene of an accident involving a motor vehicle
- Causing a fatality through the negligent operation of a commercial motor vehicle (including but not limited to vehicular homicide or assault)
- Using any motor vehicle in the commission of a felony
- Using any motor vehicle in the commission of a felony involving the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of a controlled substance, or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense a controlled substance
What do I need to do if my CDL is suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified?
Notify your employer
You must notify your employer in writing before the end of the business day following the day of the notice. You must include all traffic convictions within 30 days of the conviction including those related to your private automobile as well as a commercial vehicle.
Notify the Department of Licensing
Notify us, in writing, of all out-of-state traffic convictions within 30 days of the conviction.
Complete an Out-of-State Traffic Conviction Report for each conviction and send to:
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9030
Olympia, Washington 98507-9030
What happens if I have an out-of-state CDL?
If you have a CDL from another state and lose your privilege to drive a commercial vehicle in Washington, you can't get a Washington CDL until you have re-qualified in this state. We'll also notify your home state and they may take action against your driver license.
Can I get a restricted driver license while my CDL is suspended?
You can't get an Occupational/Restricted License (ORL) to drive a commercial motor vehicle. You can still apply for an ORL to operate a non-commercial motor vehicle. For more information, see Restricted driver licenses.
Implied consent—Refusing to test
Having a CDL implies that you consent to any testing required by any state or jurisdiction. (See federal rule 49 CFR 383.72)
It's illegal to operate a commercial vehicle with any alcohol in your system. If any level of alcohol is detected, law enforcement can place a commercial driver out-of-service for 24 hours.
