Federal and state law regarding CDLs

If you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or were driving a vehicle that requires a CDL for operation, you may be subject to federal CDL disqualification, according to Minnesota Statute 171.165.  

​Offenses that occur in a noncommercial vehicle (car, pickup, motorcycle, etc.) may also lead to the disqualification of a CDL.  See the Code of Federal Regulations for a full list of offenses and penalties.

Policies and procedures 

Major offenses, such as refusing to take an alcohol or controlled substance test, DWI, etc., carry penalties of a one-year, three-year or lifetime disqualification from operating commercial motor vehicles, depending on the number and severity of the incidents.  

Serious offenses (excessive speed, reckless driving, following too closely, etc.) carry a penalty of 60 days for two violations in a three-year period and 120 days for the third or subsequent violation.

A driver who receives a disqualification notice may not operate a commercial vehicle until the CDL privileges are reinstated. 

Alcohol offenses

Revocation of Class D (Non-CDL) privileges and disqualification of CDL privileges

• You may not drink alcohol while you are on-duty or consume any alcoholic beverage within four hours before you go on duty. If you are found to have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or more while operating a non-commercial vehicle, your class D driving privileges will be revoked, and you will be disqualified from driving commercial motor vehicles for at least one year. 

Commercial license disqualifications

You will lose your CDL for at least one year for a first offense if:

• You drive a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance (for example, illegal drugs).
• You refuse to submit to an alcohol or drug test.
• You drive a commercial motor vehicle when your blood alcohol concentration is 0.04 percent or more.
• Your blood alcohol concentration is less than 0.04 percent but you have any detectable amount, you will be put out of service for 24 hours.
• You leave the scene of an accident involving a commercial motor vehicle that you were driving.
• You use a vehicle to commit a felony.
• You drive with a revoked, suspended, canceled, denied or disqualified CDL.
• You cause a fatality through negligent or criminal operation of a commercial motor vehicle.
• You commit an offense in another state that would be grounds for disqualification in Minnesota.

If a first disqualifying offense occurs while you are operating a vehicle that is placarded for hazardous materials, you will lose your CDL for at least three years. 

A second disqualifying offense will result in losing your CDL privileges for life.

You will also lose your CDL for life if you use a vehicle to commit a felony involving a controlled substance. 

Other offenses 

If you have committed two serious traffic violations while operating a commercial motor vehicle within a three-year period, you will lose your CDL for at least 60 days.

If you have committed three serious traffic violations while operating a commercial motor vehicle within a three-year period, you will lose your CDL for at least 120 days.

Note: A limited license will not be issued for a class A, B or C license. If qualified, a limited license may be issued for class D driving only.