Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

You must have the appropriate endorsement on your CDL if you haul hazardous materials, pull double or triple trailers, or drive tank or passenger vehicles.

• Double/Triple (T) – Required for drivers of vehicles pulling two or three trailers. (A dolly or load divider, sometimes referred to as a “jeep,” is considered to be one trailer.)
• Hazardous materials (H) – Required for drivers of vehicles transporting hazardous materials requiring placards per the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. A written test and Transportation Security Administration threat assessment clearance (background check) are required to obtain the hazmat endorsement, and at each driver license renewal.
• Passenger (P) – Required for drivers of vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver. Both written and skills tests are required to obtain this endorsement.
• School Bus (S) – Required for drivers of vehicles used to transport preprimary, primary or secondary school students from home to school, from school to home, or to and from school-sponsored events. Drivers of school buses must have both the Passenger and School Bus endorsements. Both written and skills test are required to obtain this endorsement.
• Tank vehicles (N) – Required for drivers of any commercial motor vehicle that is designed to transport any liquid or gaseous materials within a tank or tanks having an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or the chassis. A commercial motor vehicle transporting an empty storage container tank, not designed for transportation, with a rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more that is temporarily attached to a flatbed trailer is not considered a tank vehicle.
• Tank Vehicles/Hazardous Materials (X) – The X endorsement represents the combination of both the tank vehicles (N) and hazardous materials (H) endorsements. A CDL may show either an X or an N and H on the endorsement line of the license.

• K Restriction – Intrastate Operation only. If a driver plans to operate commercial vehicles only in Idaho, the (K) restriction will be placed on their driving record. This restriction will also be placed on all 18, 19, and 20 year old CDL holders.
• L Restriction – Prohibits driving of vehicles with air brakes. The CDL will carry this restriction unless you pass an air brakes knowledge test and a skills test in a vehicle equipped with air brakes.
• M Restriction – Except Class A Bus – The (M) restriction prohibits a driver with a passenger endorsement from operating a Class A bus if a Class A bus was not used for the skills test. A driver with a Class A CDL who also has a (P) endorsement will typically have the (M) restriction. Class A busses are not commonly found in the United States.
• N Restriction – Prohibits the driver from operating Class A or B passenger vehicles (buses). A Class A or B CDL with the passenger endorsement will carry this restriction unless the driver obtains a passenger endorsement by successfully completing a skills test in a Class B passenger vehicle (bus).
• O Restriction – Prohibits the driver from operating a tractor-trailer combination connected by a fifth wheel. If a driver performs the skills test in a combination vehicle for a Group A CDL with the power unit and towed unit connected with a pintle hook or other non-fifth wheel connection, the O restriction will be added to the CDL. A skills test in a tractor-trailer combination connected by a fifth wheel will be required to remove the O restriction.
• P Restriction – A CDL instruction permit holder with a P or P and S endorsement is prohibited from operating a CMV carrying passengers, other than Federal/State auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other trainees, and the CDL holder accompanying the permit holder.
• V Restriction – If the State is notified by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or a registered doctor that the driver has been issued a medical variance, the State must indicate the existence of such a medical variance on the CDL document.
• X Restriction – A CDL instruction permit holder with an N endorsement may only operate an empty tank vehicle and is prohibited from operating any tank vehicle that previously contained hazardous materials that has not been purged of any residue.
• Z Restriction – The driver is restricted from operating a CMV equipped with any braking system operating fully on the air brake principle. If an applicant performs the skills test in a vehicle equipped with air over hydraulic brakes, the Z restriction must be placed on the CDL. For the purposes of the skills test and the restriction, air over hydraulic brakes includes any braking system operating partially on the air brake and partially on the hydraulic brake principle. A full skills test is required to remove the Z restriction.

Even if your vehicle is a commercial vehicle according to the definition above, you may qualify for one of the CDL exemptions. There are four categories of CDL exemptions.

Recreational vehicle exemption – applies to drivers of vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members for non-business or recreational purposes.

Military vehicle exemption – applies to military vehicle operators who are considered active-duty military personnel and to civilians who are required to wear uniforms and are subject to the Code of Military Justice.

Emergency vehicle exemption – applies to drivers of firefighting or other emergency equipment used in response to emergencies involving the preservation of life or property.

Farm vehicle exemption – applies to drivers of farm vehicles, including family members and farm hands, under certain conditions only. The farm exemption applies to drivers of farm vehicles which are:

• Controlled and operated by the farmer,
• Used to transport agricultural products, supplies, and machinery to or from a farm,
• Not used in common or contract carrier operations, and
• Not driven more than 150 miles (“as the crow flies”) from the farm.

The farm exemption is intended for small farm-to-market operations only. Unless Idaho is involved in a reciprocity agreement with the other state(s), the farm exemption does not extend beyond the boundaries of Idaho. It does not include farmers who are transporting other farmers’ products if they are receiving any compensation for the services.

Your CDL privileges may be withdrawn for varying periods of time based on the type of offense committed. The following information identifies the offenses and disqualification periods.

Serious Traffic Violations – You will lose your CDL privileges for 60 days if you are convicted of two serious traffic violations while operating a CMV, or 120 days if convicted of three serious traffic violations while operating a CMV in a three year period. The term “conviction” includes forfeiture of bail or bond and withheld judgments. The following are serious traffic violations:

• Excessive speed (15 or more miles above the posted speed limit)
• Reckless driving
• Improper or erratic lane changes
• Following the vehicle ahead too closely
• Texting or talking on a hand-held mobile telephone while driving a commercial motor vehicle
• Violation of any other motor vehicle traffic control laws which result in a fatal traffic accident.
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle without obtaining a CDL,
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle without a CDL in the driver’s possession,
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle without the proper class of CDL and/or endorsements for the specific vehicle group being operated or for the passengers or type of cargo being transported.

Violation of an Out-of-Service Order – An out-of-service order issued by an authorized enforcement officer is defined as a temporary prohibition against operating a commercial motor vehicle. The order is issued in response to a violation of federal regulations, compatible laws, or to the North American uniform out-of-service criteria (CVSA). A person who is convicted for a violation of an out-of-service order is disqualified for:

• 90 days for a first conviction,
• One year for a second conviction in 10 years, and
• Three years for subsequent convictions in 10 years.

If transporting hazardous materials or driving a bus (designed to carry 16 or more people) at the time, the driver is disqualified for:

• 180 days for a first conviction, and
• Three years for subsequent convictions in 10 years.

Disqualification for Conviction of a Railroad-Grade Crossing Violation – If you are convicted for a railroad grade crossing violation as specified in 49 CFR part 383 or applicable state laws while driving a commercial motor vehicle, your commercial driving privileges will be disqualified for:

• 60 days for a first conviction
• 120 days for a second conviction during any three year period
• One year for a third or subsequent conviction during any three year period.

Disqualification for Controlled Substance or Alcohol Violations, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Felonies (Major Offenses)– You will lose your CDL for at least one year for a first time offense:

• If you are a CDL holder or are operating a CMV and are convicted of a DUI, refuse to submit to testing or submit to and fail and evidentiary test for BAC or drugs, you will be disqualified from operating a CMV for one (1) year for the 1st offense. The BAC threshold while operating a non CMV is .08 and is .04 if operating a CMV.
• if you leave the scene of an accident involving a motor vehicle you were driving,
• if you use a motor vehicle to commit a felony,
• if you drive a CMV when, as a result of prior violations committed operating a commercial vehicle, your CDL is revoked, suspended, or cancelled or you are disqualified from operating a commercial vehicle,
• if you cause a fatality through the negligent operation of a commercial vehicle, including but not limited to the crimes of motor vehicle manslaughter, homicide by motor vehicle, or negligent homicide.

You will lose your CDL for at least three years for a first offense if any of the above offenses occur while you are operating a commercial vehicle that is transporting hazardous materials that are required to be placarded by the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.

You will lose your CDL for life* if you are convicted for any of these disqualifying offenses, or any combination of these offenses, for a second time.

You will lose your CDL for life* if you use a motor vehicle to commit a felony involving the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of a controlled substance.

Implied Consent

Any person who drives or is in physical control of a motor vehicle has given their consent to take a BAC or drug test if they are suspected of driving under the influence, under the provisions of Section 18-8002, Idaho Code. If you refuse to take the test when requested to do so by a law enforcement officer or submit to and fail a test for alcohol or drugs your CDL privileges are subject to disqualification under the provisions of Section 49-335 , Idaho Code.

Your driving privileges will be suspended under Section 18-8002A, Idaho Code, if you fail an evidentiary test for any of the following reasons:

• Having a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or greater while operating or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle.
• Having a blood alcohol concentration of .04% or greater while operating or being in actual physical control of a commercial motor vehicle.
• Having test results indicating the presence of drugs or other intoxicating substances.

The suspension will become effective 30 days from the date the Notice of Suspension is issued upon failure of an evidentiary test.

Penalties: First offense in a motor vehicle (BAC .08% or greater) or a CMV** (BAC .04 or greater):

• CDL driving privileges: one year absolute disqualification of CMV driving privileges.
• Class D driving privileges: 90-day suspension with absolutely no driving privileges for the first 30 days. Restricted driving privileges that allow for the operation of a non-commercial vehicle may be requested for the remaining 60 days of the suspension.

Second offense in a non-commercial vehicle (BAC .08% or greater) or a CMV** (BAC .04 or greater):

• CDL driving privileges: lifetime disqualification*
• Class D driving privileges: one year suspension with absolutely no driving privileges of any kind.

* Effective July 1, 2022, certain “lifetime” disqualified applicants may be eligible to reinstate their CDL privileges. For eligibility requirements go to CDL Lifetime Disqualification Reinstatement Application (PDF) (ITD 3127).

** If the failure(s) occurred in a CMV (BAC .04 to less than .08%), Class D driving privileges will remain valid. These suspensions are separate from any additional penalties or suspensions imposed by the court as a result of being convicted of the offense. Additional information on this law may be found in the Idaho Driver’s Handbook.