Commercial motor vehicle disqualifications; effects
Wis. Stat. § 343.315
in effect(1g) Definition. In this section, “engaged in commercial motor vehicle-related activities” means all of the following:
(a) Operating or using a commercial motor vehicle.
(b) Operating or using any motor vehicle on or after September 30, 2005, if the person operating or using the vehicle has ever held a commercial driver license, has ever operated a commercial motor vehicle on a highway, or has ever been convicted of a violation related to, or been disqualified from, operating a commercial motor vehicle.
(1m) Employer responsibility. An employer may not allow, permit or authorize a driver who is disqualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle during a period of disqualification after March 31, 1992. An employer who knowingly violates this subsection shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not more than 90 days or both. An employer who negligently violates this subsection shall forfeit not more than $2,500.
(2) Disqualifying offenses.
(a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (bm), a person shall be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for a one-year period upon a first conviction of any of the following offenses while engaged in commercial motor-vehicle related activities:
1. Section 346.63 (1) (a) or a local ordinance in conformity therewith or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 346.63 (1) (a) or the law of another jurisdiction prohibiting driving or operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, a controlled substance analog or a combination thereof, or under the influence of any drug which renders the person incapable of safely driving, as those or substantially similar terms are used in that jurisdiction’s laws.
1m. Section 346.63 (1) (am) or a local ordinance in conformity therewith or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 346.63 (1) (am) or the law of another jurisdiction that prohibits a person from driving or operating a commercial motor vehicle while having a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood, as those or substantially similar terms are used in that jurisdiction’s laws.
2. Section 346.63 (1) (b) or (5) (a) or a local ordinance in conformity therewith or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 346.63 (1) (b) or (5) (a) or the law of another jurisdiction prohibiting driving or operating a commercial motor vehicle while the person’s alcohol concentration is 0.04 or more or with an excess or specified range of alcohol concentration, as those or substantially similar terms are used in that jurisdiction’s laws.
3. Section 346.67 (1), 346.68 or 346.69 or a local ordinance in conformity therewith or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 346.67 (1), 346.68 or 346.69 or the law of another jurisdiction prohibiting leaving the scene of an accident involving a motor vehicle driven or operated by the person, as those or substantially similar terms are used in that jurisdiction’s laws.
4. Using a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony in this state, including a violation of a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state for an offense therein which, if the person had been convicted of the offense under the laws of this state, would have constituted a felony, or in another jurisdiction.
5. Section 343.305 (7) or (9) or a local ordinance in conformity therewith or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 343.305 (7) or (9) or the law of another jurisdiction prohibiting refusal of a person driving or operating a motor vehicle to submit to chemical testing to determine the person’s alcohol concentration or intoxication or the amount of a restricted controlled substance in the person’s blood, or prohibiting positive results from such chemical testing, as those or substantially similar terms are used in that jurisdiction’s laws.
6. Section 346.63 (2) or (6), 940.09 (1) or 940.25 or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 346.63 (2) or (6), 940.09 (1) or 940.25, or the law of another jurisdiction prohibiting causing or inflicting injury, great bodily harm or death through use of a motor vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, a controlled substance analog or a combination thereof, or with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more or with an excess or specified range of alcohol concentration, while under the influence of any drug to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely driving, or while having a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in the person’s blood, as those or substantially similar terms are used in that jurisdiction’s laws.
7. Operating a commercial motor vehicle when the person’s commercial driver license is revoked, suspended, or canceled based on the person’s operation of a commercial motor vehicle or when the person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
8. Causing a fatality through negligent or criminal operation of a motor vehicle.
(am) Except as provided in par. (b), a person shall be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for a one-year period upon a first conviction of causing a fatality through negligent or criminal operation of a motor vehicle, committed on or after July 1, 1987, and before September 30, 2005, while driving or operating any motor vehicle.
(b) If any of the violations listed in par. (a) or (am) occurred in the course of transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin under 42 CFR 73 on or after July 1, 1987, the person shall be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for a 3-year period.
(bm) The period of disqualification under par. (a) for a disqualification imposed under par. (a) 5. shall be reduced by any period of suspension, revocation, or disqualification under this chapter previously served for an offense if all of the following apply:
1. The offense arises out of the same incident or occurrence giving rise to the disqualification.
2. The offense relates to a vehicle operator’s alcohol concentration or intoxication or the amount of a restricted controlled substance in the operator’s blood.
(c) A person shall be disqualified for life from operating a commercial motor vehicle if convicted of 2 or more violations of any of the offenses listed in par. (a) or (am), or any combination of those offenses, arising from 2 or more separate incidents. The department shall consider only offenses committed on or after July 1, 1987, in applying this paragraph.
(d) The department may, by rule, establish guidelines and conditions under which a disqualification for life under par. (c) may be reduced to a period of not less than 10 years. The rules shall include standards for a rehabilitation program to be successfully completed by the applicant for reinstatement. If a person is reinstated after successful completion of the rehabilitation program and is subsequently convicted of any offense listed in par. (a), the person shall be permanently disqualified for life and ineligible to apply for a reduction of the lifetime disqualification under this paragraph.
(e) A person is disqualified for life from operating a commercial motor vehicle if, in the commission of a felony involving the manufacture, distribution, delivery, or dispensing of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog, or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, deliver, or dispense a controlled substance or controlled substance analog, the person is engaged in commercial motor vehicle-related activities. No person who is disqualified under this paragraph is eligible for reinstatement under par. (d).
(f) A person is disqualified for a period of 60 days from operating a commercial motor vehicle if convicted of 2 serious traffic violations, and 120 days if convicted of 3 serious traffic violations, arising from separate occurrences committed within a 3-year period while driving or operating a commercial motor vehicle or while driving or operating any motor vehicle if the person holds a commercial driver license. The 120-day period of disqualification under this paragraph shall be in addition to any other period of disqualification imposed under this paragraph. In this paragraph, “serious traffic violations” means any of the following offenses committed while engaged in commercial motor vehicle-related activities specified in sub. (1g) (a), or any of the following offenses committed while engaged in commercial motor vehicle-related activities specified in sub. (1g) (b) if the offense results in the revocation, cancellation, or suspension of the person’s operating privilege:
1. Violating s. 346.57 (4) or a local ordinance in conformity therewith or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 346.57 (4) by excessive speeding, or the law of another jurisdiction prohibiting excessive speeding by exceeding the posted speed limit by 15 or more miles per hour as those or substantially similar terms are used in that jurisdiction’s law.
2. Violating any state or local law of this state or any law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with any state law or any law of another jurisdiction relating to motor vehicle traffic control, arising in connection with a fatal accident, other than parking, vehicle weight or vehicle defect violations, or violations described in par. (a) 8. or (am).
3. Violating s. 346.62 or a local ordinance in conformity therewith or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 346.62 or the law of another jurisdiction prohibiting reckless or careless driving of a motor vehicle or driving or operating a motor vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, as those or substantially similar terms are used in that jurisdiction’s law.
4. Violating s. 346.07 (2), 346.08, 346.09, 346.10, 346.13, 346.24 (3) or 346.34 (1) (a) 3. or a local ordinance in conformity therewith or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 346.07 (2), 346.08, 346.09, 346.10, 346.13, 346.24 (3) or 346.34 (1) (a) 3. or the law of another jurisdiction prohibiting improper or erratic lane changes or improper passing, or otherwise prohibiting the conduct described in sections 11-304 to 306 and 11-309 of the uniform vehicle code and model traffic ordinance (1987), as those or substantially similar terms are used in that jurisdiction’s law.
5. Violating s. 346.14 or a local ordinance in conformity therewith or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 346.14 or the law of another jurisdiction prohibiting following a vehicle too closely, or otherwise prohibiting the conduct described in section 11-310 of the uniform vehicle code and model traffic ordinance (1987), as those or substantially similar terms are used in that jurisdiction’s law.
6. Operating a commercial motor vehicle when the person has not obtained a commercial driver license.
7. Operating a commercial motor vehicle when the person does not have in his or her immediate possession the person’s commercial driver license document unless the person produces in court or in the office of the law enforcement officer that issued the citation, by the date that the person must appear in court or pay any fine or forfeiture with respect to the citation, a commercial driver license document issued to the person prior to the date of the citation and valid at the time of the citation.
8. Operating a commercial motor vehicle without the proper class of commercial driver license or endorsements for the specific vehicle group being operated or for the passengers or type of cargo being transported.
9. Violating s. 346.89 (3) (a) or a local ordinance in conformity therewith or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 346.89 (3) (a) or the law of another jurisdiction prohibiting driving a motor vehicle while composing or sending an electronic text message or electronic mail message, as those or substantially similar terms are used in that jurisdiction’s law.
10. In this subdivision, “mobile telephone” has the meaning given in 49 CFR 390.5. Violating s. 346.89 (4) (b) or a local ordinance in conformity therewith or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 346.89 (4) (b) or the law of another jurisdiction prohibiting driving a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in 49 CFR 390.5, while using a hand-held mobile telephone, as those or substantially similar terms are used in that jurisdiction’s law.
(fm) A person is disqualified for a period of 60 days from operating a commercial motor vehicle if the person is convicted of violating s. 343.14 (5) or 345.17 and the violation of s. 343.14 (5) or 345.17 relates to an application for a commercial driver license or if the person’s commercial driver license is cancelled by the secretary under s. 343.25 (1).
(fp) A person is disqualified for a period of one year from operating a commercial motor vehicle if the person’s commercial driver license is canceled by the secretary under s. 343.25 (5).
(g) A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for the 24-hour period following issuance of a citation for violation of s. 346.63 (7) or a local ordinance in conformity therewith or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 346.63 (7) or issuance of an out-of-service order for violating 49 CFR 392.5 or the law of another jurisdiction in substantial conformity therewith.
(h) Except as provided in par. (i), a person shall be disqualified for a period of 180 days from operating a commercial motor vehicle if convicted of an out-of-service violation, or 2 years if convicted of 2 out-of-service violations, or 3 years if convicted of 3 or more out-of-service violations, arising from separate occurrences committed within a 10-year period while operating a commercial motor vehicle. A disqualification under this paragraph shall be in addition to any penalty imposed under s. 343.44. In this paragraph, “out-of-service violation” means violating s. 343.44 (1) (c) or a law of another jurisdiction for an offense therein which, if committed in this state, would have been a violation of s. 343.44 (1) (c), if the operator holds a commercial driver license or is required to hold a commercial driver license to operate the commercial motor vehicle.
(i) If the violation listed in par. (h) occurred in the course of transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin under 42 CFR 73, or while operating a vehicle designed to carry, or actually carrying, 16 or more passengers, including the driver, the person shall be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for 180 days upon a first conviction, or for 3 years for a 2nd or subsequent conviction, arising from separate occurrences committed within a 10-year period while operating a commercial motor vehicle. A disqualification under this paragraph shall be in addition to any penalty imposed under s. 343.44.
(j) A person is disqualified for a period of 60 days from operating a commercial motor vehicle if convicted of a railroad crossing violation, or 120 days if convicted of 2 railroad crossing violations or one year if convicted of 3 or more railroad crossing violations, arising from separate occurrences committed within a 3-year period while driving or operating a commercial motor vehicle. In this paragraph, “railroad crossing violation” means a violation of a federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation, or the law of another jurisdiction, relating to any of the following offenses at a railroad crossing:
1. If the operator is not always required to stop the vehicle, failing to reduce speed and determine that the tracks are clear of any approaching railroad train or railroad track equipment.
2. If the operator is not always required to stop the vehicle, failing to stop before reaching the crossing if the tracks are not clear.
3. If the operator is always required to stop the vehicle, failing to do so before proceeding onto the crossing.
4. Failing to have sufficient space to proceed completely through the crossing without stopping the vehicle.
5. Failing to obey any official traffic control device or the directions of any traffic officer, railroad employee, or other enforcement official.
6. Failing to successfully proceed through the crossing because of insufficient undercarriage clearance.
(k) A person disqualified by federal authorities under 49 USC 31310 (f) and 49 CFR 383.52 on the basis that the person’s continued operation of a commercial motor vehicle would create an imminent hazard, as defined in 49 USC 5102 and 49 CFR 383.5, is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for the period of disqualification determined by the federal authority upon receipt by the department of the notice of disqualification provided for in 49 CFR 383.52 (d).
(L) If the department receives notice from another jurisdiction of a failure to comply violation by a person issued a commercial driver license by the department arising from the person’s failure to appear to contest a citation issued in that jurisdiction or failure to pay a judgment entered against the person in that jurisdiction, the person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle until the department receives notice from the other jurisdiction terminating the failure to comply violation except that the disqualification may not be less than 30 days nor more than 2 years.
(3) Effect of disqualification.
(a) If a person’s license or operating privilege is revoked or suspended as the result of an offense committed after March 31, 1992, which results in disqualification under sub. (2), the department shall immediately disqualify the person from operating a commercial motor vehicle for the period required under sub. (2). Notwithstanding s. 343.38 (3r), the person’s authorization to operate a commercial motor vehicle shall not be reinstated upon expiration of the period of revocation or suspension unless the period of disqualification has also expired. During any period of disqualification in which the person’s license or operating privilege is not revoked or suspended, the department may issue an operator’s license to the person for the operation of vehicles other than commercial motor vehicles.
(b) If a person’s license or operating privilege is not otherwise revoked or suspended as the result of an offense committed after March 31, 1992, which results in disqualification under sub. (2) (a) to (f), (h) to (j), or (L), the department shall immediately disqualify the person from operating a commercial motor vehicle for the period required under sub. (2) (a) to (f), (h) to (j), or (L). Upon proper application by the person and payment of the fees specified in s. 343.21 (1) (L) and (n), the department may issue a separate license authorizing only the operation of vehicles other than commercial motor vehicles.
(bm) Notwithstanding pars. (a) and (b) and the time periods for disqualification specified in sub. (2), if a person is convicted in another jurisdiction of a disqualifying offense specified in sub. (2) while the person is not licensed in or a resident of this state, that other jurisdiction disqualified the person from operating a commercial motor vehicle as a result of the conviction, and the period of disqualification in that other jurisdiction has expired, the department may not disqualify the person from operating a commercial motor vehicle as a result of the conviction.
(c) Nothing in this subsection exempts a person from reinstatement fees under s. 343.21 or complying with applicable provisions of s. 343.38.
(d) Disqualifications shall be effective from the date of conviction of the disqualifying offense.
(4) Notification and commencement. The department shall send the notice of disqualification by 1st class mail to a person’s last-known residence address. A period of disqualification ordered under this section commences on the date on which the notice is sent under this subsection. This subsection does not apply to disqualifications under sub. (2) (g).
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/343.315Fetched: 10/7/2026