4/14/10-Gov. Joe Manchin signed into law a bill that makes changes to West Virginia law concerning commercial driver’s licenses to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. The effective date is June 11.
Among the changes in SB396 are measures to beef up out-of-service violations. Fines for drivers found violating OOS orders will increase from $1,100 to $2,500. Subsequent offenses would result in $5,000 fines.
Motor carriers will also face greater punishment. Employers convicted of knowingly allowing, requiring, permitting or authorizing a driver in OOS status to get behind the wheel would face fines between $2,750 and $25,000. The existing maximum fine is $10,000.
Another provision in the new law modifies the length of a driver’s suspension for violating an OOS order. Getting behind the wheel of a truck subject to an OOS order would result in the driver’s license being suspended for six months. Until now, state law authorized 90-day suspensions.
Repeat offenses within 10 years would result in loss of driving privileges for two years – up from one year. Subsequent offenses within 10 years would continue to result in suspensions of three years.
Also included in the West Virginia law is a provision that clarifies hazardous materials endorsements cannot be issued for terms longer than five years – the same as federal law.
In addition, commercial drivers are required to hand over any previously issued CDL before obtaining a renewed or duplicate license with updated information.

3/30/10-A bill headed to Gov. Joe Manchin’s desk would make changes to West Virginia law concerning commercial driver’s licenses to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
The House voted 89-8 to approve the bill. Senate lawmakers then signed off on changes to it, which cleared the way for SB396 to advance to the governor.
Among the changes included in the bill are measures to beef up out-of-service violations. Fines for drivers found violating OOS orders would increase from $1,100 to $2,500. Subsequent offenses would result in $5,000 fines.
Motor carriers would also face greater punishment. Employers convicted of knowingly allowing, requiring, permitting or authorizing a driver in OOS status to get behind the wheel would face fines between $2,750 and $25,000. Currently, the maximum fine is $10,000.
Another provision in the bill would modify the length of a driver’s suspension for violating an OOS order. Getting behind the wheel of a truck subject to an OOS order would result in the driver’s license being suspended for six months. State law now authorizes 90-day suspensions.
Repeat offenses within 10 years would result in loss of driving privileges for two years – up from one year. Subsequent offenses within 10 years would continue to result in suspensions of three years.
Also included in the bill is a provision that clarifies hazardous materials endorsements cannot be issued for terms longer than five years – the same as federal law.
In addition, commercial drivers would be required to hand over any previously issued CDL before obtaining a renewed or duplicate license with updated information.
For bill status, call 304-357-7800. In West Virginia, call 877-565-3447.

2/10/10-The Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted to advance a bill that would make changes to West Virginia law concerning commercial driver’s licenses to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
Among the changes SB396 are measures to beef up out-of-service violations. Fines for drivers found violating OOS orders would increase from $1,100 to $2,500. Subsequent offenses would result in $5,000 fines.
Motor carriers would also face greater punishment. Employers convicted of knowingly allowing, requiring, permitting or authorizing a driver in OOS status to get behind the wheel would face fines between $2,750 and $25,000. Currently, the maximum fine is $10,000.
Another provision in the bill would modify the length of a driver’s suspension for violating an OOS order. Getting behind the wheel of a truck subject to an OOS order would result in the driver’s license being suspended for six months. State law now authorizes 90-day suspensions.
Repeat offenses within 10 years would result in loss of driving privileges for two years – up from one year. Subsequent offenses within 10 years would continue to result in suspensions of three years.
Also included in the bill is a provision that clarifies hazardous materials endorsements cannot be issued for terms longer than five years – the same as federal law.
In addition, commercial drivers would be required to hand over any previously issued CDL before obtaining a renewed or duplicate license with updated information.
The bill awaits consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
For Senate bill status, call 304-357-7800. In West Virginia, call 877-565-3447.