Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Disqualification & Reinstatement

Understanding CDL disqualification

If your commercial driver’s license (CDL) is disqualified, you cannot legally operate a commercial vehicle.

Reasons for CDL disqualification

Your commercial driver’s license (CDL) can be disqualified if you:

• Receive a citation for having a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) while driving a commercial vehicle, even before conviction
• You are issued an administrative per se order for refusing or failing a chemical test for alcohol.
• You receive a conviction or probation before judgment in court of certain violations that meet federal and state criteria for CDL disqualification.

If you receive notice of CDL disqualification

If you receive a notice of CDL disqualification, complete and return the notice to the MVA Administrative Adjudication Division (AAD) within 15 days. 

On the back of the form, indicate how you plan to respond to the disqualification notice:

• Request a hearing before the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), or
• Waive your right to a hearing and surrender your CDL, or
• Waive your right to a hearing and certify that you are no longer in possession of your CDL

You may be able to exchange your CDL for a noncommercial driver's license that will allow you to continue driving your personal vehicle.

What happens next?

If you request for a hearing, the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) will notify you of your hearing date.

If you waive your right to a hearing, you must wait until the end of the disqualification period specified on your notice before applying for a new CDL. To get a noncommercial driver’s license during this time, go to a full-service MVA branch office. At the office, you'll be asked to surrender your CDL.

CDL reinstatement after disqualification 

Your disqualification period starts after your license or signed/certified statement that you do not have the CDL in your possession is filed with the MVA.

If your disqualification period was less than one year (60, 90, 120 or 180 days), you may apply for reinstatement of your CDL without retaking the skills and knowledge tests needed for your previous CDL. The MVA will reissue your CDL when you pay the required fees, and meet the following conditions:

• Your driving privilege is not otherwise refused, suspended, revoked, or canceled in Maryland or any other state
• You are eligible to drive pursuant to CDLIS and NDR
• You surrender any previously issued driver's instructional permit or license.

If your disqualification period was one year or more, you must meet the above requirements and take all relevant skills and knowledge tests.

There is no fee involved in this process, unless a summons was issued to pick up your CDL. In this case, a restoration fee is charged.