How a CDL Revocation Affects Your FMCSA Standing

When a commercial driver commits certain legal violations, this person risks a CDL downgrade or revocation. An FMCSA CDL revocation results in the driver losing their ability to legally operate a commercial vehicle. When you have questions about how FMCSA regulation violations might affect your drivers, FMCA Filings can provide answers.

What Is a CDL Revocation Under FMCSA Rules?

When a driver commits certain violations under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules, penalties are possible. One of the most serious is a commercial driver’s license (CDL) revocation. In this instance, the driver can no longer legally operate a commercial motor vehicle.

Some of the primary reasons for a revocation of a driver’s CDL include the following.

Drug and Alcohol Violations

When a driver has a positive drug or alcohol test or refuses to submit to a drug or alcohol test, they may incur a CDL revocation. Commercial drivers have stricter limitations on operating the vehicle after taking drugs or drinking alcohol than non-commercial drivers.

Serious Traffic Violations

If a commercial driver commits a serious traffic offense, the driver may lose their CDL. Drivers who receive a conviction for driving under the influence or who leave the scene of an accident might also face a revocation of their CDL.

Continuing To Operate After a Suspension

Drivers who receive a CDL suspension but continue to drive commercial motor vehicles may see an upgrade to a CDL revocation. Drivers are allowed to check the status of their CDLs at the FMCSA clearinghouse, so they should always know their CDL’s status.

Regaining a CDL After a Revocation

In the past, drivers who had violations listed in the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol database were allowed to keep their CDLs, even though they could not operate a commercial motor vehicle. Updates to the FMCSA CDL revocation effect require the loss of the CDL for violating these rules.

Drivers looking to regain their CDLs must go through a treatment program and receive an evaluation from a DOT professional. Drivers then must pass return-to-duty drug tests and maintain compliance through additional drug tests.

Understanding the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse

The FMCSA CDL revocation effect occurs most frequently with drug and alcohol violations among drivers. When drivers have DOT violations related to drug and alcohol use, their records go into the clearinghouse database.

The clearinghouse provides real-time information and updates on the status of drivers. The database collects information on CDL and CLP (commercial learner’s permit) violations and statuses. 

The database is essential for employers, who must annually check on the status of each employed driver. Before hiring a new driver, employers must check with the database, too.

A fleet management company like FMCA Filings can help you manage inquiries with the clearinghouse. If you ever have questions about the status of current drivers or employees you’re considering hiring, FMCA Filings will track down the answers for you. FMCA Filings can work with you on correcting inaccurate records.

How CDL Revocations Affect Motor Carrier Companies

CDL revocations only affect individual drivers, rather than the company that employs the drivers. The FMCSA cannot remove the company’s operating authority over CDL revocations for the company’s drivers. 

The FMCSA could revoke a company’s operating authority for violations of FMCSA regulations. If the company fails to comply with safety regulations or doesn’t pay the fees necessary to operate under FMCSA rules, the FMCSA could revoke operating authority. Simply having a driver who experienced a CDL revocation is not enough to trigger a loss of operating authority. 

However, allowing drivers who have a CDL revocation to operate for the company could affect the operating company’s Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) score. Undesirable CSA scores can lead to increased audits from the FMCSA or higher insurance costs.

Fleet management experts at FMCA Filings can help companies manage and oversee all their FMCSA regulations and requirements.

Let the Experts at FMCA Filings Help You Understand CDL Rule Violations

The FMCSA CDL revocation can create operational problems for your fleet. The loss of commercial driving privileges due to safety compliance issues can impact your team’s ability to meet delivery deadlines. It’s important to be certain your drivers are meeting all DOT requirements.

The team at FMCA Filings can oversee all aspects of managing your fleet. We provide the proper documentation and track compliance. To learn more about how we can streamline the management of information related to your drivers' compliance with federal and state regulations, contact us today.