(a) A person operating a CMV while either holding a CDL, CLP, or being required to hold a CDL, CLP, or any CDL or CLP holder operating a non-CMV shall be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than 1 year if convicted of a first violation of the following in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 383.51, Table 1:
(1) Driving, operating or having in physical control a noncommercial vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle, under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or any drug which impairs driving ability.
(2) Driving, operating or having in physical control a commercial motor vehicle while the alcohol concentration of the person’s blood or breath is 0.04 or more.
(3) Knowingly and wilfully leaving the scene of an accident.
(4) Using a motor vehicle in the commission of any felony as defined in this chapter.
(5) Refusal to submit to a breath or blood test to determine the driver’s alcohol concentration while driving, operating or having in physical control a motor vehicle.
(6) Using the vehicle to commit a felony, other than a felony described in subsection (d) of this section.
(7) Driving a commercial motor vehicle when, as a result of prior violations committed operating a commercial motor vehicle, the driver’s CDL or CLP is revoked, suspended, or canceled, or the driver is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
(8) Causing a fatality through the negligent operation of a commercial motor vehicle, including but not limited to crimes of motor vehicle manslaughter, homicide by motor vehicle and negligent homicide.
If any of the above violations occurred while transporting a hazardous material required to be placarded, the person shall be disqualified for a period of 3 years.
(b) A person is disqualified for life if convicted of 2 or more violations of any of the offenses specified in subsection (a) of this section, or any combination of those offenses, arising from 2 or more separate incidents.
(c) The Division of Motor Vehicles may issue regulations establishing guidelines, including conditions, under which a disqualification for life under subsection (b) of this section 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 as follows:
(1) 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.
(2) In the commission of a felony involving human trafficking.
(e) A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of 60 days if convicted of 2 serious traffic violations, or 120 days if convicted of 3 or more serious traffic violations, committed in a commercial motor vehicle arising from separate incidents occurring within a 3-year period or committed while operating a noncommercial motor vehicle if the conviction results in the revocation, cancellation, or suspension of the person’s license or noncommercial motor vehicle driving privileges. The 120-day disqualification period must be served in addition to any other previous period of disqualification. Serious traffic violations for purposes of this section shall be those violations as specified in 49 C.F.R. § 383.51, Table 2.
(f) After suspending, revoking, or canceling a commercial driver license or commercial learner permit, the Division of Motor Vehicles must update its records to reflect that action within 10 days. After suspending, revoking or canceling a nonresident commercial driver’s privileges, the Division of Motor Vehicles must notify the licensing authority of the state which issued the commercial driver license or commercial learner permit within 10 days.
(g) A person who has been disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle pursuant to this chapter may be issued a license to operate a noncommercial motor vehicle during such disqualification period provided such person is not otherwise suspended, revoked or canceled pursuant to this title.
(h) After September 30, 1997, a driver who is convicted of violating an out-of-service order is disqualified for the following periods in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 383.51, Table 4:
(1)First violation. —A driver shall be disqualified for a period of not less than 180 days or more than 1 year if the driver is convicted of a first violation of an out-of-service order. If any such driver is transporting hazardous materials required it be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act [§§ 8223 to 8230 of Title 29] or is operating a motor vehicle designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, that driver shall be disqualified for a period of not less than 180 days nor more than 2 years.
(2)Second violation. —A driver shall be disqualified for a period of not less than 2 years nor more than 5 years if, during any 10-year period, the driver is convicted of 2 violations of out-of-service orders in separate incidents. If any such driver is transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act [§§ 8223 to 8230 of Title 29] or is operating a motor vehicle designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, that driver shall be disqualified for a period of not less than 3 years nor more than 5 years.
(3)Third or subsequent violations. —A driver shall be disqualified for a period of not less than 3 years nor more than 5 years; if, during any 10-year period the driver is convicted of 3 or more violations of out-of-service orders in separate incidents.
(4)Additional penalties. —In addition to the disqualification, drivers convicted of violating an out-of-service order shall be fined not less than $2,500 nor more than $3,500 for a first conviction and not less than $5,000 nor more than $6,000 for a second or subsequent conviction within a 10-year period. Employers convicted of violating an out-of-service order shall be fined not less than $2,750 nor more than $25,000.
(i) A driver who is convicted of a railroad-highway grade crossing violation shall be disqualified for the following periods in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 383.51, Table 3:
(1)First violation. —A driver must be disqualified for not less than 60 days if the driver is convicted of a first violation of a railroad-highway grade crossing violation.
(2)Second violation. —A driver must be disqualified for not less than 120 days if, during any 3-year period, the driver is convicted of a second railroad-highway grade crossing violation in a separate incident.
(3)Third or subsequent violation. —A driver must be disqualified for 1 year if, during any 3-year period, the driver is convicted of a third or subsequent railroad-highway grade crossing violation in a separate incident.
(4)Employer penalties. —An employer who is convicted of a railroad-highway grade crossing violation will be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 383.53.
(j) The Division of Motor Vehicles will disqualify a Delaware CDL licensee or CLP holder if the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator declares the licensee not qualified and orders disqualification for them.