Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the following definitions shall be applicable unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) ALCOHOL.
a. Beer, ale, port, or stout and other similar fermented beverages (including sake or similar products), of any name or description containing one-half of one percentum or more of alcohol by volume, brewed or produced from malt, wholly or in part, or from any substitute therefor;
b. Wine of not less than one-half of the percentum of alcohol by volume; or
c. Any substance containing any form of alcohol, including, but not limited to, ethanol, methanol, propanol, and isopropanol.
(2) ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION.
a. The number of grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood; or
b. The number of grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath; or
c. The number of grams of alcohol per 67 milliliters of urine.
(3) COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE. (CDL) means a license issued in accordance with the requirements of this article to an individual which authorizes the individual to drive a class of commercial motor vehicle.
(4) COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE INFORMATION SYSTEM. (CDLIS) is the information system established pursuant to the CMVSA to serve as a clearinghouse for locating information related to the licensing and identification of commercial motor vehicle drivers.
(5) COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE. A motor vehicle designed or used to transport passengers or property:
a. If the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds or such lesser rating as determined by federal regulation;
b. If the vehicle is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
c. If the vehicle is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded in accordance with federal or state law.
(6) CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. Any substance so classified under Section 102(6) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(6)), and includes all substances listed on Schedules I through V, of 21 C.F.R. part 1308, as they may be revised from time to time.
(7) CONVICTION. An unvacated adjudication of guilt, or a determination that a person has violated or failed to comply with the law in a court of original jurisdiction or an authorized administrative tribunal, an unvacated forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure the person's appearance in court, the payment of a fine or court cost, or violation of a condition of release without bail, or a plea nolo contendere accepted by the court, regardless of whether or not the penalty is rebated, suspended, or probated.
(8) DEPARTMENT. The Department of Public Safety.
(9) DIRECTOR. The Director of the Department of Public Safety.
(10) DISQUALIFICATION. A withdrawal of the privilege to drive a commercial motor vehicle, pursuant to Section 32-5A-195 and this article.
(11) DRIVE. To drive, operate, or be in physical control of a motor vehicle.
(12) DRIVER. Any person who drives, operates, or is in physical control of a commercial motor vehicle, or who is required to hold a commercial driver license.
(13) DRIVER LICENSE. A license issued by a state to an individual which authorizes the individual to drive a motor vehicle.
(14) EMPLOYER. Any person, including the United States, a state, or a political subdivision of a state, who owns or leases a commercial motor vehicle, or assigns a person to drive a commercial motor vehicle.
(15) FELONY. Any offense under state or federal law that is punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
(16) FOREIGN JURISDICTION. Any jurisdiction other than a state, territory, province, or possession of the United States.
(17) GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING. (GVWR) The value specified by the manufacturer(s) as the maximum loaded weight of a single or a combination (articulated) vehicle, or registered gross weight, whichever is greater. The GVWR of a combination (articulated) vehicle (commonly referred to as the "Gross Combination Weight Rating" or GCWR), is the GVWR of the power unit plus the GVWR of the towed unit or units.
(18) HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Has the meaning as that found in Section 103 of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 App. U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and as provided by any federal or state law, existing or hereafter enacted.
(19) MOTOR VEHICLE. Every vehicle which is self-propelled, and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires but not operated upon rails, except vehicles moved solely by human power and motorized wheel chairs.
(20) OUT OF SERVICE ORDER. A temporary prohibition against driving a commercial motor vehicle.
(21) SERIOUS TRAFFIC VIOLATION. A conviction when operating a commercial motor vehicle of:
a. Excessive speeding, involving a single charge of any speed 15 miles per hour or more, above the posted speed limit;
b. Reckless driving, as defined under Section 32-5A-190, as amended, or any other state or local law, including charges of driving a commercial motor vehicle in willful or wanton or reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property, improper or erratic traffic lane changes, or following the vehicle ahead too closely;
c. A violation of any state or local law related to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, arising in connection with a fatal accident; and
d. Any other violation of Title 32, Chapter 5A, Article 9, as amended, or any state or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, which the Director of the Department of Public Safety determines by regulation to be serious.
(22) STATE. A state of the United States and the District of Columbia;
(23) UNITED STATES. The 50 states and the District of Columbia, or a territory, province, or possession thereof.
Last modified: May 3, 2021