There are two different ways in which an individual who holds a CDL can face suspension in Vermont based on driving a regular motor vehicle.

(1) operating, attempting to operate, or being in actual physical control of a commercial motor vehicle on a highway with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more or under the influence, as defined in section 1218 of this title;

(2) failure to stop for an accident that the trucker is involved in;

(3) using a motor vehicle in the commission of any offense under State or federal law that is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.  This can be anything from transporting a small amount of drugs to firearms to unlicensed chemical waste;

(4) refusal to submit to a test to determine the operator’s alcohol concentration, when suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol;

(5) operating, attempting to operate, or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle on a highway with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more or under the influence of intoxicating liquor or other substance;

(6) operating, attempting to operate, or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle on a highway when the person is under the influence of any other drug or under the combined influence of alcohol and any other drug to a degree which renders the person incapable of driving safely.  This can include being under the influence of marijuana, which can be detected if a Vermont Drug Recognition Expert finds that the operator is impaired to the slightest degree;

(7) operating or attempting to operate a commercial motor vehicle while the license is revoked, suspended, cancelled, or disqualified;

(8) operating a commercial motor vehicle in a negligent manner resulting in a fatal injury.

Beyond the listed offense, there are also offense defined as “serious traffic offenses that can result in CDL suspensions if a trucker is convicted of two of them on separate occasions.  These offenses include:

1)  Careless and Negligent Operation of any motor vehicle (does not have to be a big rig-can be a personal vehicle);

2)  Gross (operating well beyond the normal standard of care) Negligent Operation of any motor vehicle;

3)  Excessive Speed (traveling 20 mph or more over the posted speed limit);

There are also specific 60 day disqualifications for trucker’s failing to adhere to railroad crossing signs, with enhanced punishments for every subsequent violation.

The basic fact of the matter, is that every alleged violation in the State of Vermont can pose significant hardships for those who rely on their CDL to make a living.  Thus is it important to challenge each violation so as to minimize the damage it can cause in both the short and long term.