Federal Regulations and Standards for CDL
Physical Qualifications Standard
Medications and Drug Regulations
Driver Exemption Programs - Diabetes and Vision
Tips for felons looking for a trucking job if you qualify
How to get a copy of your DAC Report

Do you Qualify For CDLs?

Truth is, you can go to trucking school with a lot of offenses on your record. You can even get your CDLs with a few offenses as long as you have your valid driver's license.

But, there are some offenses and combination of offenses that will legally disqualify you from operating a Commercial Vehicle for specified amounts of time. Which means it would be a waste of time and money to get your CDLs if you were expecting to began a driving career in a short time.

Also there are physical qualifications standards. Most of you know that you must past a D.O.T. physical. The you will be required to be able to hear, see and be in fit enough to carry out the duties of the job. See the link at the top of the page for specific physical requirements.

Offenses That Will Disqulify From Driving

If a driver is convicted of DUI or refusal or leaving the scene of an accident or using the vehicle for committing a felony he or she is disqualified for the following amount of time

• Driving a Commercial Vehicle while license revoked, canceled or suspended from violations from operation of a commercial vehicle he or she is disqualified for 1 year for first offense (3 years if hauling hazmat) Disqualified for life for 2nd offense
• Causing a fatality through negligent operation of a Commercial Motor Vehicle he or she is disqualified for 1 year for first offense (3 years if hauling hazmat) Disqualified for life for 2nd offense

If a CDL holder is disqualified from operating a CMV, the State may issue him/her a license to operate non-CMVs.

Drivers who are disqualified from operating a CMV can not be issued a "conditional" or "hardship" CDL or any other type of limited driving privileges to continue driving a CMV.

For disqualification purposes, convictions for out-of-state violations will be treated the same as convictions for violations that are committed in the home State.

The CDLIS will ensure that convictions a driver receives outside his or her home State are transmitted to the home state so that the disqualifications can be applied.

For the complete list of disqualifying offenses like excessive speeding, leaving the scenes of an accident, etc see Disqualifying Offenses

Other Requirments To Obtain Your CDLs

You also need to be able to meed the following criteria to be able to drive a commercial vehicle in the U.S.

• You need to speak, read and understand English
• You have to be 18 to drive in state and 21 to driver across state lines
• You must have the physical ability required to operate safely (will need to pass a DOT)
• You will need to have 20/40 vision. (Without glasses or correctable to that level with glasses.)
• You must have normal peripheral vision
• You must not be color blind

If you can get pass those general federal qualifications read through a more detailed list at the Federal Motor Carriers Physical Standards Requirements.

The DOT Federal Motor Carriers Safety Disqualification of Drivers Chart

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