COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) SUSPENSIONS IN WISCONSIN
CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. You are legally required to give notification to your employer within 30 days of any conviction for a traffic violation (unless it is a parking violation). This applies whether you were in a CMV or non-CMV. Also, you must tell your employer within 2 business days if your license was suspended, revoked, or canceled, or your driving privileges have been disqualified.
If you hold a CDL, you can have your license suspended for any of the violation types:
Major Offenses:
Unless otherwise noted, convictions of the following offenses will result in CDL disqualification, whether the offense took place while operating a commercial vehicle or non-CMV:
- Alcohol and drug-related offenses such as driving with a BAC over the legal limit for a CDL (0.04%) or refusing a blood or breathalyzer test, regardless of a court conviction.
- Causing a death due to negligent CMV operation.
- Leaving the scene of an accident.
- Using the commercial vehicle to commit a felony.
- Operating a CMV when you have a suspended, disqualified, or revoked CDL.
- Driving without a valid CDL can lead to heavy fines and even jail time, for both drivers and employers who let their staff drive without valid CDL’s.
Your CDL will be disqualified for life if you are convicted of a felony involving the use of a CMV and the transportation of controlled substances.
Major Offense Penalties:
- 1st offense: 1 year. (3 years if carrying hazardous materials)
- 2nd offense: Lifetime disqualification.
Serious Traffic Violations:
CDL drivers in Wyoming will lose their driving privileges for serious traffic violations:
- Speeding excessively (15 mph over the speed limit) or driving recklessly.
- Changing lanes improperly and illegal passing.
- Following another vehicle too closely.
- Causing a fatality as a result of violating any motor vehicle traffic control law with the exception of parking violations.
- Operating a CMV without a CDL, without a commercial license on your person, or without the proper commercial endorsements.
Serious Traffic Violation Penalties:
- 2nd violation in 3 years: suspension of 60 days.
- 3rd violation in 3 years: suspension of 120 days.
Railroad Crossing Violations:
- Failing to slow your commercial vehicle and check to ensure the tracks are clear.
- Failing to make stops when required.
- Obey a traffic control device or officer.
- Driving across the tracks when the CMV doesn’t have enough space or undercarriage clearance.
Railroad Crossing Violation Penalties:
- 1st violation: suspension minimum of 60 days.
- 2nd violation in 3 years: suspension minimum of 120 days.
- 3rd violation in 3 years: suspension minimum of 1 year.
Any subsequent violations will result in the same penalty of 1 year.
Out-of-Service Violations:
Violation of an out-of-service order, will result in the following disqualifications:
- 1st violation: 90 days. (180 days if transporting hazardous materials OR 16 passengers or more.)
- 2nd violation in 10 years: 2 years. (3 years if transporting hazardous materials.)
- 3rd violation in 10 years: 3 years.
The WI DOT provides a detailed list of CDL disqualifications and their related penalties.