CDL Disqualifications

 
A CDL disqualification results from certain offenses committed in a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) and in some cases from offenses committed in a personal vehicle, if that vehicle offense also causes withdrawal of basic driving privileges. CDL disqualifications apply to those who hold a commercial driver license, or a commercial learner permit. If you have a disqualification on your record, you may still be eligible to operate a Class E vehicle, provided you are otherwise eligible and are willing to pay the appropriate fees to downgrade your CDL. 
 
The length of time a CDL is disqualified depends upon the violation(s) warranting your disqualification. The time frame ranges from a minimum of 60 days up to permanent disqualification. Disqualifications cannot be considered for early reinstatement; therefore, a customer will not be eligible for a hardship license.

1. Reinstatement Instructions for Non-Medical Certification Disqualifications (Excluding Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Disqualification)

The following are your options for reinstating your license when your disqualification is not related to your medical certification:
 
Option 1: Wait Out the Disqualification Period
 
Once the expiration date of your disqualification has passed, you can reinstate one of two ways:

Online! Many disqualifications can be cleared online - or scan the QR code to access the site. Remitting payment and reinstating online will save you a trip to our office. 

In person. Appointments are required - schedule an appointment at taxcollector.com. This transaction can only be processed at the Driver License Branch located at 904 301 Blvd. W in Bradenton. Please note the following: 

• If issuing a replacement license, you must present documents that establish your identity pursuant to the Real ID Act (e.g. US birth certificate, US passport, proof of name change(s), USCIS (INS) documents, Social Security Card and 2 proofs of residential address) unless you are already Real ID compliant and no changes are needed. For a complete list of acceptable identity documents, visit flhsmv.gov/whattobring. 
• An Online Application is REQUIRED for all transactions! To complete your driver license or ID card transaction at one of our branches, you must complete the Online Driver License & ID Card Application (https://taxcollector.jotform.com/210103795736152) – or scan the QR code to access the application – prior to your appointment. Do not print the application; an associate will access your electronic submission during your appointment. Applications are valid for 90 days. 

Option 2: Downgrade to a Class E License
 
If you choose to do so, you can surrender your CDL and be issued a Class E license, provided you are otherwise eligible. (A Class E license will allow you to operate Class E vehicles until you are able to reinstate your disqualifications.) The State may require additional testing to restore your CDL privileges - See #5 below for additional information. You can downgrade one of two ways:

Online! You can request to downgrade to a Class E license online - or scan the QR code to access the site. Processing online will save you a trip to our office. 

In person. Appointments are required - schedule an appointment at taxcollector.com. This transaction can only be processed at the Driver License Branch located at 904 301 Blvd. W in Bradenton. Please note the following:

• You must present documents that establish your identity pursuant to the Real ID Act (e.g. US birth certificate, US passport, proof of name change(s), USCIS (INS) documents, Social Security Card and 2 proofs of residential address) unless you are already Real ID compliant and no changes are needed. For a complete list of acceptable identity documents, visit flhsmv.gov/whattobring. If changes are required or you need to renew, additional fees may be due.
• An Online Application is REQUIRED for all transactions! To complete your driver license or ID card transaction at one of our branches, you must complete the Online Driver License & ID Card Application (https://taxcollector.jotform.com/210103795736152) – or scan the QR code to access the application – prior to your appointment. Do not print the application; an associate will access your electronic submission during your appointment. Applications are valid for 90 days. 

Note: If you currently hold a hardship license [with a C or D restriction] for another reason, a CDL cannot be issued until that restriction expires.

2. Reinstatement Instructions for Medical Certification Disqualifications

 The following are your options for reinstating your license when your disqualification is related to your medical certification:

Option 1: Show Your Current Medical Card/Certificate
 
You can reinstate one of two ways:

 Online! Visit flhsmv.gov/ddl/cdlmedicalcert.html to update your Medical Card/Certificate and save a trip to our office! (This is only available before your disqualification goes into effect. Once you are disqualified, you must visit an office to reinstate.) 

 In person. Appointments are required - schedule an appointment at taxcollector.com. This transaction can only be processed at the Driver License Branch located at 904 301 Blvd. W in Bradenton. Please note the following: 

• Your medical card/certificate will be scanned and subject to verification. 
• You must present documents that establish your identity pursuant to the Real ID Act (e.g. US birth certificate, US passport, proof of name change(s), USCIS (INS) documents, Social Security Card and 2 proofs of residential address) unless you are already Real ID compliant and no changes are needed. For a complete list of acceptable identity documents, visit flhsmv.gov/whattobring. If changes are required or you need to renew, additional fees may be due.
• An Online Application is REQUIRED for all transactions! To complete your driver license or ID card transaction at one of our branches, you must complete the Online Driver License & ID Card Application (https://taxcollector.jotform.com/210103795736152) – or scan the QR code to access the application – prior to your appointment. Do not print the application; an associate will access your electronic submission during your appointment. Applications are valid for 90 days. 

Option 2: Certify That You Are Exempt From Medical Requirements

You can reinstate one of two ways:

 Online! Visit flhsmv.gov/ddl/cdlmedicalcert.html to certify online and save a trip to our office! (This is only available before your disqualification goes into effect. Once you are disqualified, you must visit an office to reinstate.) 

 In person. Appointments are required - schedule an appointment at taxcollector.com. This transaction can only be processed at the Driver License Branch located at 904 301 Blvd. W in Bradenton. Please note the following: 

• You must present documents that establish your identity pursuant to the Real ID Act (e.g. US birth certificate, US passport, proof of name change(s), USCIS (INS) documents, Social Security Card and 2 proofs of residential address) unless you are already Real ID compliant and no changes are needed. For a complete list of acceptable identity documents, visit flhsmv.gov/whattobring. If changes are required or you need to renew, additional fees may be due.
• An Online Application is REQUIRED for all transactions! To complete your driver license or ID card transaction at one of our branches, you must complete the Online Driver License & ID Card Application (https://taxcollector.jotform.com/210103795736152) – or scan the QR code to access the application – prior to your appointment. Do not print the application; an associate will access your electronic submission during your appointment. Applications are valid for 90 days.

Option 3: Downgrade to a Class E License

 If you choose to do so, you can surrender your CDL and be issued a Class E license, provided you are otherwise eligible. (A Class E license will allow you to operate Class E vehicles until you are able to reinstate your disqualifications.) The State may require additional testing to restore your CDL privileges - See #5 below for additional information.  You can downgrade one of two ways:

Online! You can request to downgrade to a Class E license online - or scan the QR code to access the site. Processing online will save you a trip to our office. 

In person. Appointments are required - schedule an appointment at taxcollector.com. This transaction can only be processed at the Driver License Branch located at 904 301 Blvd. W in Bradenton. Please note the following: 

• You must present documents that establish your identity pursuant to the Real ID Act (e.g. US birth certificate, US passport, proof of name change(s), USCIS (INS) documents, Social Security Card and 2 proofs of residential address) unless you are already Real ID compliant and no changes are needed. For a complete list of acceptable identity documents, visit flhsmv.gov/whattobring. If changes are required or you need to renew, additional fees may be due.
• An Online Application is REQUIRED for all transactions! To complete your driver license or ID card transaction at one of our branches, you must complete the Online Driver License & ID Card Application (https://taxcollector.jotform.com/210103795736152) – or scan the QR code to access the application – prior to your appointment. Do not print the application; an associate will access your electronic submission during your appointment. Applications are valid for 90 days.

Note: If you currently hold a hardship license [with a C or D restriction] for another reason, a CDL cannot be issued until that restriction expires.

3. Acceptable Methods of Payment and Estimated Fees

 We accept cash, check, debit cards, and credit cards. A $2.50 processing fee for debit cards and a 2.5% processing fee (minimum of $2.50) for credit cards will apply. Our office does not retain any portion of this fee.
 
Estimate of fees:
 
Service Fee.............................................$6.25                 Reinstatement Fee.............................$75.00*
Downgrade w/no changes..............$0.00                  Downgrade w/changes...................$25.00 
Replacement..........................................$25.00               Renewal.................................................$75.00
Endorsements.......................................$7.00 (each)       Late Fee.................................................$15.00

*Reinstatement fee is due if reinstated on or after the effective date of the disqualification.

Note: Fees listed above only apply to reinstatements processed at the Driver License Branch. Online fees may differ slightly. Other related reinstatement or issuance fees may apply.

4. Invalid License Information

Is your license currently suspended, revoked, cancelled and/or disqualified? If your driver license is suspended, revoked, cancelled and/or disqualified, driving any type of vehicle may result in:

• ARREST by law enforcement
• TOWING of your vehicle

We urge you to respect the law and make arrangements other than driving a vehicle to avoid the unfortunate events above. A free public phone and computer are provided in the lobby to call for a ride from our office or to access the Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) website.

Note: A minor child operating a motor vehicle with a learner license must be accompanied by another adult with a valid license (non-suspended).

How can you get your license back once it's reinstated? If your license was retained by one of our branches due to a suspension, revocation, cancellation and/or disqualification, you may be able to have it returned for no additional fee once it has been reinstated. Licenses retained by our office are only kept for a short period of time before they are destroyed.

If you are interested in getting your license back, you must do the following within 1-2 days after your license was retained.

1. Return to the branch that retained your license.
2. Print the screen from https://mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov/home/en/publicweb/dlcheck that shows your license is “VALID” that day.
3. Provide the screen print to the receptionist.

If your license has been destroyed or you opt to purchase a replacement license at the time you reinstate your driving privilege, you would be subject to the $31.25 replacement fee.

5. Restoring CDL Privileges for an Expired CDL

If you opted to downgrade your CDL and/or it expired during your disqualification period, you will need to restore your CDL privileges if wanting to operate commercial motor vehicles.

To ensure all CDL customers are knowledgeable of commercial vehicle driving laws and capable of demonstrating commercial driving skills, the State may require you to complete additional testing to restore your CDL privileges depending upon the length of time your CDL has been expired. The following are examples of when the applicable knowledge and skills tests will be required:

• Customer downgraded from a CDL to a Class E license or ID card, and the CDL on record has been expired for one year or more.
• Customer's Florida CDL expired and was not renewed within the one-year delinquent renewal period.
• Customer is applying for an original Florida CDL, and their out-of-state CDL has been expired for one year or more.

6. Additional Information

You can sign up for electronic notifications when citations and/or sanctions are added to your record online - or scan the QR code on the right to access the site. 

Check the status of your license at mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov/home/en/publicweb/dlcheck!