Overview of Tractor-Trailer Companies
Licensing of Drivers

To get a CDL, you must pass knowledge and skills tests.

1.1        Commercial Driver's License Tests
1.1.1     Knowledge Tests
You will have to take one or more knowledge tests, depending on what class of license and what endorsements you need.
1.1.2     Skills Tests
If you pass the required knowledge test(s), you can take the CDL skills tests. There are three types of general skills that will be tested: pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. You must take these tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed.
1.2        Driver Disqualifications
1.2.2     Alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident, and commission of a felony
It is illegal to operate a CMV if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .04% or more. If you operate a CMV, you shall be deemed to have given your consent to alcohol testing.
You will lose your CDL for at least one year for a first offense for:

• Driving a CMV if your blood alcohol concentration is .04% or higher.<
• Driving a CMV under the influence of alcohol.
• Refusing to undergo blood alcohol testing.
• Driving a CMV while under the influence of a controlled substance.
• Leaving the scene of an accident involving a CMV.
• Committing a felony involving the use of a CMV.

You will lose your CDL for at least three years if the offense occurs while you are operating a CMV that is placarded for hazardous materials.
You will lose your CDL for life for a second offense.
You will lose your CDL for life if you use a CMV to commit a felony involving controlled substances.
You will be put out-of-service for 24 hours if you have any detectable amount of alcohol under .04%.
1.2.3      Serious traffic violations
Serious traffic violations are excessive speeding (15 mph or more above the posted limit), reckless driving, improper or erratic lane changes, following a vehicle too closely, and traffic offenses committed in a CMV in connection with fatal traffic accidents.
1.2.4      Violation of out-of-service orders
1.2.5      Railroad-highway grade crossing violations
1.2.6      Hazardous materials endorsement background check and disqualifications
If you require a hazardous materials endorsement you will be required to submit your fingerprints and be subject to a background check.
You will be denied or you will lose your hazardous materials endorsement if you:

• Are not a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
• Renounce your United States citizenship.
• Are wanted or under indictment for certain felonies.
• Have a conviction in military or civilian court for certain felonies.
• Have been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution.
• Are considered to pose a security threat as determined by the Transportation Security Administration.

1.2.7      Traffic violations in your personal vehicle
The Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act (MCSIA) of 1999 requires a CDL holder to be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle if the CDL holder has been convicted of certain types of moving violations in their personal vehicle.
If your license to operate your personal vehicle is revoked, cancelled, or suspended due to serious speeding violations, you will lose your CDL for periods ranging from 60 to 120 days.
If your license to operate your personal vehicle is revoked, cancelled, or suspended due to alcohol violations, you will lose your CDL for one year. If you are convicted of a second alcohol conviction in your personal vehicle, you will lose your CDL for life.
If your license to operate your personal vehicle is revoked, cancelled, or suspended, you may not obtain a "hardship" license to operate a CMV.
1.3         Other CDL rules
Alabama Commercial Driver License Manual, (2005) pp. 1-1 to 1-4