§17E-1-7. — Commercial driver's license required; disqualification for driving without valid license.


§17E-1-7. Commercial driver's license required; disqualification for driving without valid license.
(a) On or after the first day of April, one thousand nine hundred ninety-two, except when driving under a commercial driver's instruction permit accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver's license valid for the vehicle being driven, no person may drive a commercial motor vehicle unless the person holds a commercial driver's license and applicable endorsements valid for the vehicle they are driving.
(b) No person may drive a commercial motor vehicle while their driving privilege is suspended, revoked, canceled, expired, subject to a disqualification or in violation of an out-of-service order.
(c) Drivers of a commercial motor vehicle must have a commercial driver's license in their possession at all times while driving.
(d) The Commissioner shall suspend for a period of ninety days the driving privileges of any person who is convicted of operating a commercial motor vehicle without holding a valid commercial driver's license and the applicable endorsements valid for the vehicle he or she is driving or for any conviction for operating a commercial motor vehicle while disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
(e) Any person not holding a commercial driver's license who is convicted of an offense that requires disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle shall also be disqualified from eligibility for a commercial driver's license for the same time periods as prescribed in federal law or rule or section thirteen of this article for commercial driver's license holders.