What Disqualifies You From Getting A CDL In Pennsylvania: Things you need to avoid

Understanding what disqualifies you from getting a CDL in Pennsylvania is crucial for aspiring commercial drivers. Pennsylvania follows strict standards to ensure safety, disqualifying individuals for reasons like DUI convictions, felony offenses involving vehicles, or medical conditions. Traffic violations, such as reckless driving or leaving an accident scene, can also prevent CDL eligibility. Being aware of these disqualifications helps applicants prepare effectively while maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations.

This guide will provide you with comprehensive CDL disqualifications in Pennsylvania, ensuring you are informed before beginning your applicant process. Now let’s scroll down to discover!

What disqualifies you from getting a CDL in Pennsylvania?

Undoubtedly,  obtaining a Pennsylvania CDL is a significant step for those pursuing a career in transportation. However, certain factors can disqualify an individual from being eligible for a CDL like traffic violations, reckless driving, out-of-service order violation,…

what disqualifies you from getting a cdl in pennsylvania?
What disqualifies you from getting a cdl in Pennsylvania?

Let’s find out more information!

Alcohol-Related Offenses, Accidents, and Felonies

Violations such as driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, or committing a felony with a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) can lead to severe penalties. These offenses not only jeopardize the safety of others but also result in significant legal consequences, including suspension or permanent loss of your CDL.

Specifically, the first offense results in a minimum one-year CDL suspension for:

  • Driving a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) with a BAC of 0.04% or higher or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Refusing alcohol testing.
  • Leaving an accident scene involving a CMV.
  • Using a CMV in a felony crime.
  • Accidents causing death, personal injury, or property damage.
  • Operating a CMV with a revoked, suspended, or disqualified license.

If you commit a violation while driving a CMV carrying hazardous materials, your CDL will be suspended for a minimum of three years.

A second violation leads to a lifetime disqualification.

Similarly, using a CMV to commit a felony involving controlled substances results in a permanent CDL loss.

Additionally, if alcohol is detected in your system, even below the 0.04% threshold, you will be placed out-of-service for 24 hours.

If you operate a school bus or vehicle with a BAC of 0.02% or higher, you are considered driving under the influence. For other types of commercial vehicles, a BAC of 0.04% or more also constitutes driving under the influence. The first offense results in a one-year CDL suspension. Even if your BAC is below 0.02% for school vehicles or 0.04% for other CMVs, any detectable alcohol can result in being placed out-of-service for up to 30 days.

SevereTraffic Offense

Reckless or dangerous driving, excessive speeding, and other severe traffic violations jeopardize your CDL.

Serious traffic violations, such as excessive speeding (15 mph or more over the limit), reckless driving, erratic lane changes, tailgating, and traffic offenses linked to fatal accidents, can lead to CDL suspension. The penalties are as follows:

  • A 60-day suspension for two serious violations within three years involving a CMV.
  • A 120-day suspension for three serious violations within the same period. Serious violations include offenses tied to fatal accidents, reckless driving, excessive speeding, or evading law endorsement.

Disobeying Out-of-Service Orders

Ignoring an out-of-service order is a serious violation that can lead to significant CDL penalties. These orders are issued when a driver or vehicle is deemed unsafe to operate. Failing to comply can result in suspensions, depending on how many violations occur within a given period.

Specifically, your CDL will be suspended for:

  • 90 days for your first violation of an out-of-service order.
  • One year for two out-of-service violations within a 10-year period.
  • Three years for three or more out-of-service violations within the same 10-year period.

These penalties are enforced to ensure compliance with safety regulations and prevent repeated violations.

Railroad Crossing Violations

Railroad Crossing Violations
Railroad Crossing Violations

Railroad crossing violations can lead to serious penalties, including CDL suspension. Drivers must follow specific rules when approaching crossings to ensure safety. Failing to comply with these regulations, such as blocking a crossing or not stopping when required, can result in significant consequences for commercial drivers.

Specifically, your CDL will be suspended for:

  • 60 days for the first violations.
  • 120 days for a second violation within a three-year period.
  • One year for a third violation within the same period.

These violations involve failing to comply with laws at railroad-highway grade crossings, including:

  • Not stopping before the crossing when required.
  • Failing to slow down and check for trains.
  • Not stopping at crossings where it is mandatory.
  • Blocking the crossing or not having enough space to clear it.
  • Disregarding traffic control devices or enforcement officials.
  • Inability to pass through the crossing due to insufficient vehicle clearance.

Hazardous Material endorsement Background check offenses

To obtain a Hazardous Material endorsement, you must undergo a fingerprinting process and a thorough background check. You may be denied or lose your CDL if you:

  • Are not a lawful permanent U.S resident.
  • Renounce your U.S citizenship.
  • Are wanted or under indictment for certain felonies.
  • Have been convicted of specific felonies in military or civilian courts.
  • Have been adjudicated as mentally incompetent or involuntarily committed to a mental health facility.
  • Pose a security threat, as determined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Personal Vehicle Violations

Under the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act (MCSIA) of 1999, CDL holders can be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) if they are convicted of specific traffic violations in their personal vehicle.

If your personal vehicle driving privileges are revoked, canceled, or suspended due to traffic violations (excluding parking), your CDL will also be affected.

  • A suspension due to alcohol, controlled substances, or felony convictions results in a one-year CDL disqualification.
  • A second alcohol-related conviction in your personal vehicle leads to a lifetime CDL ban

Additionally, if your personal license is revoked, you can not obtain a “hardship” license to drive a CMV.

FAQs

1. Can you get a CDL with a felony in Pennsylvania?

No, you can not get a CDL with a felony in Pennsylvania. Specifically, felony involving commercial vehicles or drug-related crimes will disqualify you, felonies like trafficking controlled substances or using a CMV for a felony can lead to permanent disqualification.

2. Can I get a CDL with a DUI in Pennsylvania?

Yes, you can still apply for a CDL with a DUI conviction in Pennsylvania, but it will disqualify you for a period of time. A first DUI offense will typically result in a one-year disqualification, while a second offense could lead to a lifetime disqualification.

3. What felonies disqualify you from getting a CDL in Pennsylvania?

Felonies involving violence, drug trafficking, manslaughter, or any crime committed while operating a CMV will disqualify you from getting a CDL in Pennsylvania. Specifically, felonies like using a CMV for trafficking or committing a violent felony will result in permanent disqualification.

Final thoughts

Being informed about CDL disqualifications is key to preventing your CDL from being disqualified. Specifically, these actions that can lead to the disqualification of CDL in Pennsylvania include alcohol-related offenses, serious traffic offense, out-of-service order violation,…. Now you have an answer for “What disqualifies you from getting a CDL in Pennsylvania”, should anything be confusing, do not hesitate to leave questions below for further discussion.


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