(a) Any person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than one year if convicted of a first violation of one of the following:
(1) Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, or a controlled substance or any other drug which renders a person incapable of safely driving.
(2) Driving a commercial motor vehicle while the alcohol concentration of the person's blood, urine, or breath is 0.04 or more.
(3) Knowingly and willfully leaving the scene of an accident involving a motor vehicle driven by the person.
(4) Using a motor vehicle in the commission of any felony.
(5) Refusal to submit to a test to determine the driver's use of a controlled substance or alcohol concentration while driving a motor vehicle.
If any of the violations in subdivisions (1) to (5), inclusive, occurred while transporting a hazardous material required to be placarded, the person is disqualified for a period of not less than three years.
(b) A person is disqualified for life if convicted of two or more violations of any of the offenses specified in subsection (a), or any combination of those offenses, arising from two or more separate incidents.
(c) The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency may issue regulations and promulgate establishing guidelines, including conditions, under which a disqualification for life under subsection (b) may be reduced to a period of not less than 10 years.
(d) A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for life who uses a motor vehicle in the commission of any felony involving the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of a controlled substance, or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance.
(e) A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than 60 days if convicted of two serious traffic violations, or 120 days if convicted of three serious traffic violations, committed in a commercial motor vehicle arising from separate incidents occurring within a three-year period.
(f)(1) A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for not less than 90 days nor more than one year upon a first conviction of driving a commercial vehicle while under an out-of-service order.
(2) A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for not less than one year nor more than five years if during any 10-year period the person receives two convictions of driving a commercial vehicle while under an out-of-service order where the convictions arise out of separate incidents.
(3) A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for not less than three years nor more than five years if during any 10-year period the person receives three or more convictions of driving a commercial vehicle while under an out-of-service order where the convictions arise out of separate incidents.
(4) If a conviction of driving a commercial motor vehicle while under an out-of-service order arises out of an arrest where the person was transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq., or while operating motor vehicles designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, the person is disqualified for not less than 180 days nor more than two years upon a first conviction and not less than three years nor more than five years upon any subsequent conviction within a 10-year period where these factors exist.
(g)(1) A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for not less than 60 days upon a first conviction, not less than 120 days if during any three-year period the person receives two convictions, and not less than one year if during any three-year period the person receives three or more convictions of any of the following railroad-highway grade crossing violations:
a. The driver is not required to stop, but fails to slow down and check that tracks are clear of an approaching train.
b. The driver is not required to stop, but fails to stop before reaching the crossing if the tracks are not clear.
c. The driver is always required to stop, but fails to stop before driving onto the crossing.
d. The driver fails to have sufficient space to drive completely through the crossing without stopping.
e. The driver fails to obey a traffic control device or the directions of an enforcement official at the crossing.
f. The driver fails to negotiate a crossing because of insufficient undercarriage clearance.
(2) A person is disqualified for not less than 120 days if during any three-year period the person receives two convictions of a railroad-highway grade crossing violation.
(3) A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for not less than one year if during any three-year period the person receives three or more convictions of a railroad-highway grade crossing violation.
(h) After suspending, revoking, or canceling a commercial driver license, the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency shall update its records to reflect that action within 10 days. After suspending, revoking, or canceling a nonresident commercial driver's privilege, the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency shall notify the licensing authority of the state that issued the commercial driver license or commercial driver instruction permit within 10 days.
Any failure to report or disclose required information, either before or after issuance of a commercial driver license shall be a Class C felony and shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished as provided by law.
Last modified: May 3, 2021