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Georgia driving lesson · Losing Your Driving Privileges

Commercial driving disqualifications

A 3-minute lesson from the Georgia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Losing Your Driving Privileges
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
47, 50

Your commercial driving privileges can be disqualified even if you don't hold a CDL. A disqualification bars you from driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), and if you don't have a CDL, you can't get one during that time.

Commercial privileges can be withdrawn for:

  • Conviction of a major traffic violation
  • Conviction of two or more serious traffic violations
  • Using a CMV in a felony involving a controlled substance or marijuana (not mere possession)
  • Violating an out-of-service order
  • A railroad grade crossing offense in a CMV
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Major traffic violations include:

  • Driving a CMV with a BAC of .04 or higher; DUI
  • Hit and run; failing to report a crash, or striking an unattended vehicle or fixed object
  • Any felony using a motor vehicle; homicide by vehicle
  • Driving a CMV while the CDL is revoked, suspended, canceled or disqualified
  • Racing; fleeing an officer; fraudulent use of a license or ID
  • Driving with a revoked registration; cargo theft; refusing chemical testing
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Major traffic violation disqualifications

Major traffic violation disqualifications
CaseDisqualification
1st conviction1 year
1st, in a CMV placarded for hazardous materialsAt least 3 years
2nd conviction (separate incident)Lifetime
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Serious traffic violations include:

  • Speeding 15 or more mph over the limit
  • Reckless driving; following too closely
  • Improper or erratic lane change, including failing to signal
  • A traffic violation connected with a fatal crash
  • A railroad grade crossing violation in a non-commercial vehicle
  • Driving a CMV without a CDL, without it in your possession, or without the right class
  • Texting while driving a CMV
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Serious violations within 3 years (separate incidents)

Serious violations within 3 years (separate incidents)
ConvictionDisqualification
2nd60 days
3rd or more120 days
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Violating an out-of-service order

Violating an out-of-service order
OffenseDisqualification
1st180 days to 1 year
2nd2 to 5 years
3rd or more3 to 5 years
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

A felony involving manufacturing, distributing, trafficking or possessing a controlled substance or marijuana using a CMV (other than mere possession) means lifetime disqualification.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

A railroad grade crossing offense in a CMV means 60 days for a 1st offense, up to 1 year for a 3rd or later offense within 3 years.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

Many offenses that disqualify commercial privileges also suspend your regular license, though the periods may differ. Some convictions cost commercial privileges for life.

Handbook p. 47 ↗

Put it into practice

A CDL holder is convicted of following too closely, then a year later of speeding 17 mph over the limit. That's a second serious violation within 3 years: a 60-day disqualification from driving a CMV.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

If a commercial driver's license is disqualified, what happens to that person's noncommercial driving privileges?
  1. They are automatically revoked permanently
  2. They are automatically suspended for the same period
  3. They aren't automatically suspended or revoked
  4. They are suspended for half the period

Answer: They aren't automatically suspended or revoked

A CDL disqualification does not by itself suspend or revoke noncommercial driving privileges, though many offenses affect both.

Handbook p. 47 ↗
A driver disqualified from commercial driving for a major traffic violation involving hazardous materials faces disqualification for how long on a first offense?
  1. Lifetime disqualification
  2. At least three years
  3. One year, same as a standard major violation
  4. 6 months

Answer: At least three years

If the major violation occurred while operating a CMV placarded for hazardous materials, disqualification is at least three years for a first offense.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
What is the disqualification period for a first conviction of a 'major traffic violation' in a CMV, such as DUI?
  1. Two years
  2. Lifetime
  3. One year
  4. Six months

Answer: One year

A conviction of a major traffic violation, including DUI, results in a one-year disqualification of commercial driving privileges.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
What happens on a second conviction of a major traffic violation for commercial driving privileges?
  1. Lifetime disqualification
  2. 120-day disqualification
  3. Three-year disqualification
  4. Another one-year disqualification

Answer: Lifetime disqualification

A second conviction of a major traffic violation from a separate incident results in a lifetime disqualification.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
Serious traffic violations, such as speeding 15+ mph over the limit or following too closely, can lead to a 60-day CDL disqualification on a second conviction within 3 years.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

A second conviction of a serious traffic violation within three years results in a 60-day disqualification.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
How does the disqualification period for a first out-of-service order violation compare to a second violation?
  1. 180 days to 1 year for a first offense; 2 to 5 years for a second offense
  2. Both require a minimum of 2 years
  3. 1 to 2 years for a first offense; 180 days to 1 year for a second offense
  4. Both are capped at 1 year

Answer: 180 days to 1 year for a first offense; 2 to 5 years for a second offense

A first out-of-service order violation carries 180 days to 1 year, while a second carries 2 to 5 years.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
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