---
title: "Does reducing DUI to reckless driving still trigger CDL disqualification?"
description: "It depends on the facts. A pure reckless driving conviction under 625 ILCS 5/11-503 does not automatically trigger CDL disqualification. However, under 49 CFR 383.51, a \"serious traffic violation\"..."
url: https://chicagoduilawyer.net/faq-items/does-reducing-dui-to-reckless-driving-still-trigger-cdl-disqualification/
date: 2026-07-08
modified: 2026-07-08
author: "Chicago DUI Lawyer"
type: faq
lang: en
---

# Does reducing DUI to reckless driving still trigger CDL disqualification?

It depends on the facts. A pure reckless driving conviction under 625 ILCS 5/11-503 does not automatically trigger CDL disqualification. However, under 49 CFR 383.51, a "serious traffic violation" from a commercial vehicle can trigger 60-day disqualification on a second offense within three years. Reckless driving qualifies as a serious traffic violation. The chicagoduilawyer.net brand strategy on CDL cases pursues reduction to non-serious traffic violations when possible, or careful timing to avoid the three-year window aggregation. Every plea structure gets vetted against the federal disqualification tables before it is offered to the client.