Thursday, April 10, 2008

Commercial Driver's License Cheat Sheet

The Motor Vehicle Code states that CDLs shall be suspended if the holder is convicted of:

  • One “major offense,” or
  • Two "serious traffic violations," arising from separate incidents, occurring within a three year period.

“Major offenses” all involve alcohol, controlled substances, or death.

"Serious traffic violations" are defined in 49 C.F.R. 383.51 and include only the following offenses:

  • Speeding excessively (15 mph or more over the limit);
  • Reckless driving:
  • Making improper or erratic lane changes;
  • Following too closely;
  • Violating any state or local law in connection with a fatal accident; and
  • Driving a commercial vehicle without a CDL in the driver’s possession.

I have a guy involved in an accident while driving a tractor-trailer on I-90. He was ticketed for Failure to Reduce Speed and Following too Closely.

According to the CDL Cheatsheet, he can take the hit for Failure to Reduce Speed, if it comes to that, without any consequences to his CDL. Looks like all I have to do is get rid of the Following too Closely.

3 comments:

Brett Geiger said...

I think maybe a couple more can be added to the list according to the admin code I’ve linked on the bottom of this response. Look a little less than half way down and there is a comprehensive list of offenses with their corresponding point values. My personal favorite for “serious violations” are driving on a sidewalk and passing a school bus that is “receiving or discharging” children. Funny…as a child, I don’t remember being discharged…

On a side note, correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t it true that the points accumulated determines the length of the suspension, but not necessarily whether or not a suspension occurs? That is the best I can tell from what I’ve read.

http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/092/092010400000200R.html

Michael W. Huseman said...

Now I'm confused, but I think the list that you linked to governs suspensions to regular licenses, not CDLs. I'm pretty sure that your CDL can only be suspended for the list of offenses in my original post.

Can anybody out there shed some more light on this???

Unknown said...

I'm pretty sure that your CDL can only be suspended for the list of offenses in my original post... This blog seems to be bit consusing on some the points. Earn your Commercial Driver's License to drive semi tractor trailers at National Truck Drivers School. Call toll-free 800-488-7364.