What Disqualifies You From Getting a CDL in Texas?

What Disqualifies You From Getting a CDL in Texas?

If you are considering a career as a commercial truck or bus driver in Texas, you need to understand the qualifications you need to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). While having a clean driving record is a key requirement, several factors can disqualify you from getting your CDL in the Lone Star State.

Below is an in-depth look at what can prevent you from becoming a licensed commercial driver. If you face criminal charges that jeopardize your ability to get a CDL, a skilled Houston, TX CDL license suspension lawyer can protect your rights and future.

What is a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)?

A commercial driver’s license, commonly known as a CDL, is a special type of driver’s license required to operate large, heavy, or specialized vehicles for commercial purposes in the United States.

Portrait of a middle-aged bearded truck driver standing by his truck and showing his commercial driver's license (CDL). Focus on the CDL license.

This includes tractor-trailers, buses, tankers, and other commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the minimum standards states must follow when issuing CDLs.

In Texas, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) licenses commercial drivers. Texas has three classes of CDLs:

  • Class A: Required for operating any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the towed unit has a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds. This includes tractor-trailers.
  • Class B: Required for operating any vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more and any vehicle towing another vehicle that does not exceed 10,000 pounds GVWR. This includes straight trucks and large buses.
  • Class C: Required for operating any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B but is either: 1) Designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or 2) Used in the transportation of hazardous materials that require the vehicle to be placarded.

To get a CDL in Texas, applicants must be at least 18 years old (21 for interstate commerce), have a valid non-commercial driver’s license, pass a knowledge test and driving skills test, and meet strict physical and medical requirements.

However, even if you meet these basic criteria, there are still several factors that can disqualify you from obtaining a CDL.

Criminal Convictions

One of the most common reasons people are denied a CDL in Texas is due to certain criminal convictions on their record. The FMCSA has established minimum standards for commercial drivers to ensure public safety.

As a result, certain criminal offenses can automatically disqualify you from obtaining a CDL. Discuss any pending criminal charges with a Texas criminal defense lawyer now.

Felony Convictions

In general, any felony conviction involving the use of a motor vehicle will permanently disqualify you from getting a CDL. This includes crimes such as vehicular manslaughter, hit and run resulting in injury or death, and using a vehicle to commit a felony.

Even if the felony did not involve a vehicle, a crime of moral turpitude or involved violence, dishonesty, or controlled substances could disqualify you.

Drug and Alcohol Offenses

Woman drinking while driving.

Trucking industry officials take convictions related to drugs and alcohol very seriously for commercial drivers.

A first conviction for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, under the influence of controlled substances, or with a BAC of 0.04 percent or higher while driving a CMV will result in a one-year CDL disqualification. If you were transporting hazardous materials at the time, the disqualification period is three years.

A second intoxicated/impaired driving conviction, whether in a CMV or personal vehicle, will result in lifetime CDL disqualification. However, you may qualify for reinstatement after ten years if you voluntarily enter and successfully complete an approved rehabilitation program.

Other drug and alcohol offenses that can disqualify you from getting a CDL include:

  • Refusing a sobriety test while operating a CMV
  • Leaving the scene of an accident involving a CMV while intoxicated/impaired
  • Using a CMV to commit a felony involving manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing controlled substances
  • Having a BAC of .04 percent or higher while operating a CMV or .08 percent or higher while operating a non-CMV
  • Driving a CMV while under the influence of alcohol within four hours of going on duty

Traffic Violations

Serious traffic violations can also hurt your ability to obtain a CDL in Texas. These include:

  • Excessive speeding (15 mph or more above the speed limit)
  • Reckless driving
  • Improper or erratic lane changes
  • Following too closely behind another vehicle
  • Violating a traffic control law in connection with a fatal accident
  • Using a cell phone while driving a CMV

A second conviction for any combination of these violations within three years will result in a 60-day disqualification, and a third conviction within three years carries a 120-day disqualification.

Medical Conditions

View of the road from the driving position of a truck, with a landscape featuring clouds.

To ensure the safety of both commercial drivers and the general public, FMCSA requires all CDL holders to meet certain physical and medical standards.

These requirements are in FMCSA’s Medical Examination Report, and a certified medical examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners must certify that an applicant meets them.

Lack of Driving Experience or Training

While having a clean criminal and medical record is essential for getting a CDL in Texas, it’s not the only requirement. You must also demonstrate you have the knowledge and skills necessary to safely operate a commercial vehicle. This means having sufficient driving experience and training before applying for your CDL.

Consult with a Texas CDL Attorney

Obtaining a commercial driver’s license in Texas is a multi-step process that requires applicants to meet strict eligibility criteria. From passing criminal background checks and medical exams to demonstrating proficiency behind the wheel, many factors can disqualify you from getting a CDL.

If you face any issues, consult a knowledgeable Houston, TX criminal defense attorney who can explain your options and work to overcome any obstacles in your path. With the right legal guidance and preparation, you may still achieve your goal of becoming a licensed commercial driver in the Lone Star State.

Choosing an Attorney Is a Serious Matter

Find out why Attorney Benavides is the right choice.

  • Se Habla Español
  • Free Consultations & Payment Plans Available
  • Personalized Attention
  • Dedicated To Protecting Justice
  • Raving Client Reviews
  • Former Prosecutor

What do you do after getting a ticket?

Click here and find out