CDL Safety and Laws

Restrictions and Endorsements

Endorsements

T Double/Triple Trailer
P Passenger
N Tank
H Hazardous Materials
S School Bus

Restrictions

I Intrastate Driving Only
K Vehicles not equipped w/air Brakes
L Except Class A Bus
J Except Class A and B Bus
O Vehicles other than Tractor Trailer
8 Automatic Transmission

A word about alcohol and driving

It is against the law to operate a commercial vehicle with any amount of alcohol or controlled substance in the blood, breath, or urine. If a driver tests from .01% BAC to .039% BAC, that driver shall be put out of service for 24 hours. Drivers testing at .04% BAC or higher will be disqualified for one year. A second conviction carries a penalty of disqualifying a commercial driver for life. Penalties apply to the commercial driving privileges only.

What offenses could result in disqualification?

Below is a list of violations that could result in the loss of commercial driving privileges for time periods ranging from 24 hours to life:

24 hours - Driving a commercial motor vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol or controlled substance in the blood, breath, or urine.
60 days - Two serious moving violations in three years. Any person who knowingly falsifies information or certification required to obtain a commercial driver's license, permit, or duplicate commercial driver's license, will be subject to an administrative hearing and disqualified for period of at least 60 consecutive days.
120 days - Three serious moving violations in three years. A serious violation is defined as speeding 15 mph or more, improper lane usage/changes, following too closely, reckless driving, and any violation showing a wanton disregard for the safety of any person or property.
180 days - Convicted of operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle while placed out of service.
1 year - First conviction of any of the following or
For life - Second conviction of any of the following:

Driving a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .04% or more or under the influence of a controlled substance.
Leaving the scene of a traffic accident
Using the commercial vehicle in the commission of a felony.
Refusing to submit to a blood, breath, or urine test when stopped for probable cause by a police officer.
Driving a CMV that is suspended due to violations committed while operating a CMV, CDL is revoked, suspended, cancelled, or the driver is disqualified from operating a CMV.
Causing a fatality through the negligent operation of a CMV.

3 years - Violating any law above while transporting hazardous materials.
For life - First conviction of using the vehicle in the commission of a felony involving manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled substance.

State Traffic School for CDL/CMV Drivers

All moving convictions must be posted to the driving record if the driver is a CDL holder or the conviction occurred in a CMV. State Traffic School will prevent points from being assessed but will not prevent the conviction from appearing on the record.

Intrastate Medical Waivers

601 KAR 11:040 sets forth the procedure and standards for obtaining an Intrastate Medical Waiver. If a commercial driver does not meet the federal medical guidelines outlined in 49 CFR 391., sub-part E, he may apply for this Intrastate Medical Waiver.

To apply for this waiver the driver may contact either his local Circuit Court Clerk's office or the Division of Driver Licensing in Frankfort. At that time the driver will be sent a medical waiver packet. Contained in this packet will be a form, "Request for Medical Waiver." Also in the packet are the following supplemental medical report forms: Cardiovascular Conditions, Neurological Conditions, Musculoskeletal Conditions, Metabolic Conditions, Alcohol or Drug Dependence, Mental and Emotional Conditions, and Vision Conditions. A licensed physician shall determine which of these forms are applicable to the medical condition of the applicant and complete these forms. If the vision form is applicable, an optometrist or ophthalmologist must complete the form. Along with the request for waiver and pertinent medical report forms, the Division of Driver Licensing must receive a long form copy of the driver's last DOT physical examination.

The Division of Driver Licensing will base its decision on granting the requested waiver from the information obtained from the medical report forms, the D.O.T. physical, and the driving history of the applicant. If the Intrastate Medical Waiver request is granted, the applicant will receive a letter of approval along with a medical examiners certificate stamped "Intrastate Medical Waiver Granted, Transportation Cabinet." This certificate will indicate Intrastate Travel Only and will be the only medical card in the driver's possession. The CDL license will indicate the "I" restriction (intrastate only).

After being granted a medical waiver, the driver must submit periodic medical updates. The proper forms will be computer generated and automatically mailed to the driver. If the Division of Driver Licensing does not receive the updated information within 45 days, the Intrastate Medical Waiver, along with the driver's commercial driving privileges, will be cancelled and remain cancelled until the information is received.

Farm-related services restricted CDL

This restricted CDL may be issued to employees of farm retail outlets and suppliers, agrochemical business, custom harvesters, and livestock feeders. The license is valid for 60, 120, or 180 days in any 12-month period. The license is only valid within 150 miles of the land being serviced. It does not apply to any class A vehicles transporting any fertilizer within any organic substance, fuel, gasoline, pesticides, and propane. See your Circuit Court Clerk for more details.

General Rules

You cannot have more than one license. If you break this rule, a court may fine you up to $5,000 or place you in jail. You must be licensed in your home state.
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 must notify your motor vehicle license agency within 30 days if you are convicted in any other state of any traffic violation (except parking). This is true no matter what type of vehicle you were driving.
You must notify your employer if your license is suspended, revoked, cancelled, or if you are disqualified from driving.
You must give your employer information on all driving jobs that you have held for the past 10 years. You must do this when you apply for a commercial driving job.
No one can drive a commercial motor vehicle after April 1, 1992, without a CDL. A state may fine you up to $5,000 or place you in jail for breaking this law.
Your employer may not let you drive a commercial motor vehicle if you have more than one license or if your CDL is suspended or revoked. A court may fine the employer up to $10,000 or place him in jail for breaking this rule.

Individual eighteen (18) years of age driving intrastate

A commercial driver's license may be issued to an individual eighteen (18) years of age who holds a valid automobile Class D driver's license who has passed the vision and knowledge test required for a commercial driver's license of the class vehicle to be driven, if the individual only drives a commercial motor vehicle in intrastate commerce and does not drive a school bus or a vehicle hauling hazardous material. The license shall be class specific and shall contain an "I" restriction noting that the commercial driver is limited to Kentucky intrastate commerce.

How does the system prevent multiple licenses?

Kentucky has joined an information system call the Commercial Driver License Information System, (CDLIS), that will serve as a clearinghouse of information on commercial drivers nationwide. CDLIS will be used to eliminate drivers from holding multiple licenses and obtaining fraudulent licenses.

For information regarding skills test appointments or test date availability, call Kentucky State Police at 1-800-542-5990. For information on CDL regulations or questions regarding licensing of commercial drivers, call the Division of Drivers Licensing at 502-564-1257 or e-mail us at DDLWebServices.