Disqualification from Commercial Driver’s Licenses in Idaho

Obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License in Idaho can open many career opportunities to you in the field of commercial truck driving. The state of Idaho defines a commercial vehicle as any vehicle with a gross weight of over 26,000 pounds that will be used to transport up to 16 passengers including the driver or for use of transporting products both locally and internationally including hazardous materials. You can obtain your Commercial Driver’s License through any local Department of Motor Vehicles branch and begin the process by submitting your application. The process for receiving your CDL can be daunting but is well worth the effort for a rewarding career that offers competitive salaries and job security as commercial truck driving increases on the job market. There are several classes of CDL license in the state of Idaho including:

• Class A- any combination vehicle with a gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more where the towed weight is 10,000 pounds.
• Class B- A single vehicle with a gross weight or 26,001 or more that tows a weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
• Class C- Any vehicle weighting less than 20,001 with the intention of transporting less than 16 passengers including the driver.

Among these classes of Commercial Vehicle Licenses you may also receive special endorsements that are necessary if you intend to transport specific types of product such as hazardous wastes, or operate a special form of commercial vehicle falling under one of these classes but with modifications. Note that each endorsement will require additional studying and a test for each in order to receive the endorsement on your CDL.

To qualify for a Commercial Driver’s License in the state of Idaho, you must be over the age of 18 and hold a valid driver’s license currently within that state. In addition to the qualifications, there are many aspects that can disqualify you from obtaining your commercial license. The following lists detailed information about the disqualifications both while applying for a new commercial driver’s license and in the future as a current license holder. Be sure to read through this list carefully in order to assure that you will not waste time or money on the process if you find you have a disqualification:

• Failure to adhere to any of the state driving laws in effect will potentially cause you to loose your CDL privileges. In addition the state of Idaho retains laws specifically regarding CDL carriers that you should make yourself aware of in advance including:

1. You cannot hold more than one license and the license must be issued in the state of Idaho.
2. You must declare the type of driving you intend to do: intrastate or interstate and receive your medical certification regardless of the type.
3. You are required to inform the ITD Driver’s services within 30 days if you have received a traffic violation while transporting goods in another state.
4. You must inform your employer if your commercial driver’s license is suspended, canceled or revoked or you are disqualified from driving under a CDL. Driving under false pretenses will results in possible fines and jail time if you are caught. Court fines can often be higher than 5000 dollars in addition to jail time.
5. When you apply for a commercial driving job, you are required to inform them of all driving positions held within the last ten years of employment, even if the position did not require a Commercial license.
6. In addition, the employer can receive addition fines and possible jail time if you are forced to operate a Commercial Vehicle after the employer has been informed of your recent inability to operate a vehicle due to a license being revoked, suspended or canceled

In addition to following these rules, there are specific types of traffic infractions that can result in the immediate revoking of your commercial driver’s license. These infractions include:

• Excessive speed of 15 miles per hour or more
• Reckless driving
• Improper or unpredictable lane changes
• Following a motor vehicle ahead too closely, or tailgating
• Driving a commercial vehicle without acquiring a CDL, having it in your possession at the time of stop by police, or driving on a suspended Commercial driver’s license.
• Driving a commercial vehicle to which you do not hold the proper endorsements at the time of your stop by police.
• Any conviction, whether on or off duty as a commercial driver involving the use of drugs or alcohol while operation a motor vehicle. In addition, refusal to take a breathalyzer test will result in an automatic failure and rules will apply.

There are major driving infractions that will result in the automatic revoking of your commercial driver’s license that are non-negotiable. These include injury or death to another person or passenger as a direct result of negligence or reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. In addition, failure to properly stop at railroad tracks will result in the same consequences.

There are several punishments in regards to violating any of the above laws, including your inability to operate a commercial driver’s license in the future so it is wise to know and obey all of the laws regarding your field of work. Loosing your CDL will result in the loss of work, doubling the penalties you receive from an infraction.