Suspensions
All states are connected to one computerized system to share information about CDL drivers. The states will check drivers’ motor vehicle records and be assured that drivers do not have more than one CDL. You must notify your employer within 30 days of a conviction for any traffic violation (except parking). This is true no matter what type of vehicle you were driving.
You will lose your CDL:
- For at least 60 days if you have committed two (2) serious traffic violations within a three (3)-year period.
- For at least 120 days for three (3) serious traffic violations within a three (3)-year period.
Serious traffic violations are excessive speeding (15 mph or more above the posted limit), reckless driving, improper or erratic lane changes, following a vehicle too closely, traffic offenses committed in a CMV in connection with fatal traffic accidents, driving a CMV without obtaining a CDL or having a CDL in the driver’s possession, and driving a CMV without the proper class of CDL and/or endorsements.
You will lose your CDL:
- For at least 90 days if you have committed your first violation of an out-of-service order.
- For at least one year if you have committed two violations of an out-of-service order in a ten-year period.
- For at least three years if you have committed three or more violations of an out-of-service order in a ten-year period
Anyone who holds a commercial driver’s license automatically agrees to chemical analysis. Consent is implied by driving a commercial motor vehicle on the streets and highways of North Carolina. A commercial driver will be suspended and CDL disqualified for one (1) year for any driver who refuses a chemical analysis.
You will lose your CDL for at least thirty (30) days based on an immediate civil revocation if you are driving a commercial motor vehicle and the test reveals an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more. This suspension may be extended indefinitely until the driver satisfies any requirements the court imposes regarding the civil revocation. This immediate action is taken prior to the court trial for the related alcohol charge. If your alcohol concentration is less than 0.04 percent but you have any detectable amount on your breath, you will immediately be placed out of service for twenty-four (24) hours.
Your CDL will be disqualified for ten (10) days if you are convicted of a first offense of driving a commercial motor vehicle after consuming alcohol or while alcohol remains in your body. Conviction of a second or third offense occurring within seven (7) years will result in a one-year suspension and disqualification. Y
ou will be CDL disqualified for life and your privilege to drive suspended for one year upon your conviction of a fourth or subsequent offense occurring within seven (7) years. You will be CDL disqualified for one (1) year for a civil revocation under G.S. 20-16.5 or a substantially similar revocation obtained in another jurisdiction, arising out of a charge that occurred while the person was either operating a commercial motor vehicle or while the person was holding a commercial drivers license.
A conviction of a first offense of any of the following will affect your privilege to drive:
- Driving while impaired (alcohol concentration of 0.08) by a CDL holder in any type of vehicle; one-year suspension and disqualification.
- Driving while impaired (alcohol concentration 0.06) in a CMV; one-year suspension and disqualification.
- Driving while impaired (alcohol concentration 0.04 or 0.05) in a CMV; one-year disqualification.
- Leaving the scene of an accident involving a CMV you were driving; one-year disqualification.
- Using a CMV to commit a felony; one-year disqualification.
- Vehicular manslaughter offense occurring while you were operating a CMV; one-year suspension and disqualification.
- Driving a CMV during a period when your CDL is revoked, suspended, canceled, or you are otherwise disqualified from operating a CMV; one-year disqualification and depending on the charged offense, your privilege to drive may also be suspended.
If the offense occurs while you are operating a CMV that is placarded for hazardous materials, you will be CDL disqualified for at least three (3) years. You will be CDL disqualified for life for conviction of a second offense of any of the above-mentioned violations.
Traffic Violations in Your Personal Vehicle
The Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act (MCSIA) of 1999 requires a CDL holder to be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle if the CDL holder has been convicted of certain types of moving violations in their personal vehicle. If your privilege to operate your personal vehicle is revoked, canceled, or suspended due to violations of traffic control laws (other than parking violations) you will also lose your CDL driving privileges. If your privilege to operate your personal vehicle is revoked, canceled, or suspended due to alcohol, controlled substance, or felony violations, you will lose your CDL for 1 year. If you are convicted of a second violation in your personal vehicle or CMV you will lose your CDL for life.
The following is for infractions while driving a commercial vehicle, For passenger vehicles please click here.
| Conviction | Point Value |
| Passing a stopped school bus loading or unloading children | 8 |
| Rail-highway crossing violation | 6 |
| Careless and Reckless driving in violation of G.S. 20-140(f) | 6 |
| Speeding in violation of G. S. 20-141(j3) | 6 |
| Aggressive driving | 6 |
| Reckless driving | 5 |
| Hit and run, property damage only | 5 |
| Following too closely | 5 |
| Driving on wrong side of road | 5 |
| Illegal passing | 5 |
| Failure to yield right-of-way to pedestrian pursuant to G. S. 20-158(b)(2)b. | 5 |
| Failure to yield right-of-way to bicycle motor scooter, or motorcycle | 5 |
| Running through stop sign | 4 |
| Speeding more than 55 mph | 4 |
| Speeding through a school zone | 4 |
| Failure to yield right of way | 4 |
| No driver license or license expired more than one year | 4 |
| Running through red light | 4 |
| Failure to stop for siren | 4 |
| Driving through safety zone | 4 |
| Failure to report accident where such report is required | 4 |
| Possessing alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a commercial motor vehicle | 3 |
| All other moving violations | 3 |