Suspended CDL in Washington DC

Commercial Driver’s License Suspensions in Washington, D.C.

If your commercial driver’s license (CDL) was disqualified or suspended by the Washington, D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you’ll need to satisfy your disqualification requirements to reinstate it.

Your CDL may be disqualified for violations committed in both commercial and non-commercial vehicles. Violations include:

  • Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol.
  • Refusing to submit to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test.
  • Reckless driving and speeding.
  • Hit and runs.
  • Violating out-of-service orders.
  • Driving without a CDL in your possession.
  • Driving without the proper CDL endorsements.
  • Felonies using your commercial vehicle.

On this page you’ll find information about your disqualification and how to reinstate your D.C. CDL.

About Your Washington, D.C. CDL Suspension

Your CDL disqualification duration and reinstatement requirements will vary depending on your offense and whether or not your non-commercial driving privileges have also been suspended.

NOTE: If you were convicted of a crime, you may also face court penalties and fines in addition to your Washington, D.C. DMV disqualification.

Your driving privileges are subject to state and federal regulations, including suspensions lasting:

  • 1 year for a 1st violation of a major offense, such as:
    • Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol.
    • BAC test refusal.
    • Committing a hit and run, or leaving an accident scene.
    • Commit a felony in your commercial vehicle.
  • 3 years for a 1st violation for major offense while transporting hazardous materials.
  • A lifetime for a 2nd violation of a major offense.
  • 60 – 120 days if you commit multiple traffic violations within 3 years.
  • 60 – 120 days for violating railroad highway grade crossing rules.

NOTE: If you are found driving your commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or higher, you’ll be convicted of DUI/DWI.

Visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website for more information about CDL suspensions and penalties.

Additionally, you must notify your employer:

  • Within 30 days of any conviction for a traffic offense.
  • By the end of the next business day after you receive your disqualification notice.

For information about your specific suspended/disqualified CDL, please refer to your disqualification notice or contact the Washington, D.C. DMV:

  • Phone: (202) 737-4404, TTY (for hearing impaired customers) 711.
  • E-mail: dmv@dc.gov.

NOTE: Your CDL can also be disqualified for non-commercial vehicle violations. For more information, please see our page on Suspended Licenses in Washington, D.C.

Check Your Commercial Driver’s License Status

Traffic violations can lead to disqualifications of your CDL and points on your Washington, D.C. driving record.

If you accumulate too many driving record points, your non-commercial driving privileges will be suspended as well.

The Washington, D.C. DMV will:

  • Suspended your driving privileges for 90 days if you accumulate 10-11 points.
  • Revoke your driving privileges for at least 6 months if you accumulate 12 points or more.

Suspended D.C. CDL Hearings

Depending on the reason for your CDL disqualification/suspension, you may be able to request a Washington, D.C. administrative hearing to contest the suspension. If you are unhappy with the hearing result, you may appeal the decision.

Visit our page on Suspended D.C. Driver’s Licenses for information on suspension hearings and steps to take.

Reinstate Your Commercial Driver’s License

Your commercial driver’s license reinstatement requirements will depend on the circumstances of your offense and whether your non-commercial driving privileges are also suspended or revoked.

Suspended CDL

To reinstate a disqualified/suspended CDL, you may need to:

  • Complete an alcohol education program or driver improvement course, if applicable.
  • Submit any necessary clearance documents.
  • Retake and pass the commercial driving skills and knowledge tests.
  • Pay a reinstatement and licensing fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your CDL in Washington, D.C.” below.)

Revoked CDL

If your commercial driving privileges were revoked, you’ll need to:

  • Request a reinstatement hearing by completing a Reinstatement Hearing Application (Form DMN-DIO-RHA-002).
  • Pass the commercial driving skills and knowledge tests.
  • Apply for a new CDL.
  • Pay a reinstatement fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your CDL in Washington, D.C.” below.

Fees to Reinstate Your CDL in Washington, D.C.

Your CDL reinstatement fees will vary depending on the circumstances of your disqualification/suspension. Below are general D.C. DMV commercial driver’s license fees that may apply to your situation.

  • Reinstatement: $98.
  • CDL driving skills/knowledge test: $10 each.
  • CDL fee: $117.
  • CDL downgrade: $20.

NOTE: If you were convicted of a crime, you may also face court fines.

For specific fee information relating to your CDL suspension, refer to your disqualification notice or contact the D.C. DMV office nearest you.

You can pay your reinstatement fees:

Acceptable Forms of Payment

The Washington, D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles accepts the following forms of payment for CDL reinstatements.

  • In person:
    • Cash.
    • Check or money order.
    • VISA, MasterCard, or Discover credit card.
  • Online: Credit card only.

NOTE: Reinstatement fees cannot be paid with cash.

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