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Panel approves CDL changes adding texting, handheld use and under-21 BAC rules
Summary
The committee advanced HB28 to expand the federal and state definitions of serious traffic violations for commercial driver's licenses to include texting, handheld electronic-device use and certain under‑21 alcohol violations; the bill permits some test waivers and aligns state rules with federal requirements.
The House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee advanced House Bill 28, which revises Wyoming's commercial driver's license (CDL) statutes to add certain offenses — including texting while operating a commercial motor vehicle and handheld electronic-device use — to the definition of “serious traffic violations” used for CDL disqualification, and to align state policy with federal standards.
Misty Zimmerman, program manager for Wyoming Driver Services, told the committee the bill is part of a modernization project and cleans up inconsistencies. She said the changes define which citations count toward disqualification, expand coverage to commercial learner permits, and add texting and handheld-device use while operating a commercial motor vehicle to the serious‑traffic‑violation list. She also described a proposal that would disqualify a CDL/CLP holder for one year if under‑21 drivers are convicted of operating a vehicle with a blood‑alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater while holding commercial credentials.
Zimmerman said the bill does not create new criminal statutes but instead clarifies which existing citations, when they result in suspensions or other actions, count as serious violations for CDL purposes. Regarding test waivers, she said the bill would allow the Wyoming Department of Transportation to waive knowledge and skills tests in some circumstances — mirroring Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) programs that permit exchanging military credentials for a civilian CDL.
Lawmakers pressed for tightening some language. Representative Nicholas questioned how a single hands‑free, voice‑activated message would be treated; Zimmerman replied enforcement depends on the underlying Wyoming statute that produces the citation and that this bill only designates those citations as “serious” for disqualification purposes. Representative Nicholas also asked about lane‑change language and was told the statutory cross‑reference is Wyoming statute 31‑5‑209(a)(i), which governs lane maintenance and movement.
The committee also discussed expungement and under‑21 DUI records. Zimmerman explained that although state law often expunges under‑21 alcohol incidents, those records would still count for CDL disqualification purposes under the bill, consistent with the department’s intent to hold CDL holders to a higher standard.
After discussion the committee approved HB28 on a roll-call vote, 7 in favor and 2 opposed (Representative Nicholas and Representative Wiley voted no). Representative Garinger moved the bill; Representative Posey seconded. The measure will proceed toward the House floor with committee managers assigned.
The measure pulls multiple technical changes into one statutory package: definitions for serious traffic violations, the inclusion of commercial learner permits, an age‑based BAC disqualification provision, and an explicit waiver authority for knowledge/skills testing in line with federal programs.
