COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) SUSPENSIONS IN IOWA
CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. You must notify your employer AND your vehicle licensing agency within 30 days of a conviction for any traffic violations (with the exception of parking violation), regardless of whether you were driving a commercial motor vehicle or a non-CMV. You also must notify your employer within 2 business days if your license was suspended, revoked, or canceled (or if your driving privileges were disqualified).
Your CDL privileges are most commonly disqualified due to violations in the following categories: Major Offenses, Serious Offenses, Railroad Crossing Violations, and Out-of-Service Offenses.
MAJOR OFFENSES:
Unless otherwise noted, convictions of the following offenses will result in CDL disqualifications in Iowa, even if you were operating your personal vehicle at the time:
- OWI (or DUI). The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.04%.
- Refusal to test for BAC will also result in disqualification. (You will be disqualified for the above, regardless of a court conviction.)
- Operating under the influence of a controlled substance.
- Failure to stop after an accident.
- Causing a fatality during the operation of a CMV.
- Committing a felony while operating a CMV.
- A felony for the use of a CMV in the transportation of controlled substances will result in an automatic and irreversible lifetime disqualification.
- Driving a CMV with a suspended CDL. If you are found to be driving when your CDL is suspended, you will be subject to criminal penalties, including fines and jail time. Employers who allow their drivers to operate with suspended CDLs are subject to the same penalties.
For most of these offenses your CDL will be disqualified for the following terms:
- 1 year upon your 1st violation. (3 years if carrying hazardous materials at the time.)
- Lifetime disqualification upon your 2nd violation.
If you are caught driving with a traceable amount of alcohol in your blood, even while below the legal limit, you will be given an out-of-service order for 24 hours.
SERIOUS VIOLATIONS:
If you commit a serious violation, your Iowa CDL won’t be suspended right away. However, if you commit another violation in 3 years, you will lose your CDL privileges.
Serious violations in Iowa include:
- Excessive speeding.
- Reckless driving.
- Illegal passing.
- Improper or erratic lane changing.
- Following too closely.
- Violations relating to the use of a CMV resulting in fatality.
You face the following disqualification terms for serious offenses accumulated within 3 years:
- 60 days upon your 2nd offense.
- 120 days upon your 3rd offense.
RAILROAD HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSING OFFENSES:
Iowa railroad highway grade crossing (RRHGC) violations include failure to:
- Slow down to check that the tracks are clear.
- Stop when tracks are not clear.
- Stop before driving onto a crossing.
- Obey a traffic control device or officer.
- Ensure undercarriage clearance.
You face the following CDL disqualification penalties for RRHGC violations:
- 1st violation: minimum 60 days.
- 2nd violation within 3 years: minimum 120 days.
- 3rd violation and any subsequent violations within 3 years: minimum 1 year.
OUT-OF-SERVICE OFFENSES:
Violating an out-of-service order will result in CDL disqualification. Offenses committed in the period of 10 years will result in the following disqualification periods of at least:
- 90 days upon your 1st offense.
- 1 year upon your 2nd offense.
- 4 years upon your 3rd offense.
NOTE: If your driver’s license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled due to violating a traffic control law (excluding parking violations) related to the operation of your personal vehicle, your Iowa CDL would consequently be disqualified.
NOTE: By law, you are required to notify your employer within 30 days of receiving a traffic offense conviction or by the end of the next business day after receiving a CDL disqualification notice.