FAR 61.15 — Alcohol & Drug Offenses
FAR 61.15 explains how drug and alcohol convictions, motor vehicle actions, and the 60-day FAA reporting rule affect pilot certificates and applications.
In Plain English
FAR 61.15 spells out how drug and alcohol offenses can hurt your ability to get or keep a pilot certificate. It matters because a single off-duty incident — even one that has nothing to do with flying — can cost you your certificate or delay your training.
Key points:
- Drug convictions: A conviction under any federal or state law involving narcotics, marijuana, or depressant/stimulant drugs is grounds for denial of any certificate or rating for up to 1 year, or suspension/revocation of certificates you already hold.
- Flying under the influence: Violating § 91.17(a) (alcohol/drugs while flying) or § 91.19(a) (carrying drugs) carries the same denial, suspension, or revocation consequences.
- Motor vehicle actions (MVAs): A DUI conviction, or any license suspension, revocation, or denial related to alcohol or drugs, counts as an MVA. Two MVAs within 3 years (from separate incidents) are grounds for denial up to 1 year or suspension/revocation.
- 60-day reporting: If you hold a Part 61 certificate, you must send a written report of each MVA to the FAA Civil Aviation Security Division (AMC-700) in Oklahoma City within 60 days. The report must include your name, address, DOB, certificate number, the violation type, date, state, and whether it relates to a prior reported MVA.
- Failure to report is itself grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.15§ 61.15 Offenses involving alcohol or drugs.
(a) A conviction for the violation of any Federal or State statute relating to the growing, processing, manufacture, sale, disposition, possession, transportation, or importation of narcotic drugs, marijuana, or depressant or stimulant drugs or substances is grounds for:
(1) Denial of an application for any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part for a period of up to 1 year after the date of final conviction; or
(2) Suspension or revocation of any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part.
(b) Committing an act prohibited by § 91.17(a) or § 91.19(a) of this chapter is grounds for:
(1) Denial of an application for a certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part for a period of up to 1 year after the date of that act; or
(2) Suspension or revocation of any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part.
(c) For the purposes of paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this section, a motor vehicle action means:
(1) A conviction after November 29, 1990, for the violation of any Federal or State statute relating to the operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or a drug, while impaired by alcohol or a drug, or while under the influence of alcohol or a drug;
(2) The cancellation, suspension, or revocation of a license to operate a motor vehicle after November 29, 1990, for a cause related to the operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or a drug, while impaired by alcohol or a drug, or while under the influence of alcohol or a drug; or
(3) The denial after November 29, 1990, of an application for a license to operate a motor vehicle for a cause related to the operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or a drug, while impaired by alcohol or a drug, or while under the influence of alcohol or a drug.
(d) Except for a motor vehicle action that results from the same incident or arises out of the same factual circumstances, a motor vehicle action occurring within 3 years of a previous motor vehicle action is grounds for:
(1) Denial of an application for any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part for a period of up to 1 year after the date of the last motor vehicle action; or
(2) Suspension or revocation of any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part.
(e) Each person holding a certificate issued under this part shall provide a written report of each motor vehicle action to the FAA, Civil Aviation Security Division (AMC-700), P.O. Box 25810, Oklahoma City, OK 73125, not later than 60 days after the motor vehicle action. The report must include:
(1) The person's name, address, date of birth, and airman certificate number;
(2) The type of violation that resulted in the conviction or the administrative action;
(3) The date of the conviction or administrative action;
(4) The State that holds the record of conviction or administrative action; and
(5) A statement of whether the motor vehicle action resulted from the same incident or arose out of the same factual circumstances related to a previously reported motor vehicle action.
(f) Failure to comply with paragraph (e) of this section is grounds for:
(1) Denial of an application for any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part for a period of up to 1 year after the date of the motor vehicle action; or
(2) Suspension or revocation of any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1If you get a DUI in your car, what are your obligations to the FAA as a pilot?
Under FAR 61.15(e), I must send a written report of the motor vehicle action to the FAA Civil Aviation Security Division (AMC-700) in Oklahoma City within 60 days, including my certificate info, the violation type and date, the state, and whether it relates to a prior MVA.
Q2What happens if you have two alcohol-related motor vehicle actions within three years?
Per FAR 61.15(d), a second MVA within 3 years of a previous one (from a separate incident) is grounds for denial of any certificate or rating for up to 1 year, or suspension or revocation of any certificate I already hold.
Q3What is the consequence of failing to report a DUI to the FAA within 60 days?
FAR 61.15(f) states that failure to comply with the 60-day reporting requirement in paragraph (e) is itself grounds for denial of an application for up to 1 year, or suspension or revocation of any certificate, rating, or authorization.
Studying for a checkride?
Related Sections in Part 61