How A DUI Can Lead To A CDL Suspension
To have a career in which you operate a commercial vehicle, you will need to maintain a commercial driver's license. The vehicle that you operate is large and dangerous. For this reason, you will be placed under much stricter restrictions regarding your behavior to maintain your commercial driver's license. If you are arrested for a DUI, you might wonder how this will affect your commercial driver's license.
Driving Under the Influence When Operating a Commercial Vehicle
In many states, such as California, the maximum BAC for operating a commercial vehicle is actually higher than the BAC for operating a passenger vehicle. You can be convicted of a DUI even if you do not meet the threshold. Also, if you are under the influence of any substance that could lead to you becoming impaired, this may lead to you be accused of a DUI.
As a driver, you will be subjected to the same penalties that you would be subjected to as a normal driver. For example, you may be subjected to:
- Imprisonment
- Fines
- The suspension of your driver's license
- A mandatory DUI education program
As a commercial driver, you will also face the suspension of your driver's license for a period of time.
Restricted CDLs
If you have special circumstances, your state might allow you to obtain a restricted CDL. Then, you will be able to operate a commercial vehicle under limited circumstances. Other states will only allow you to have your CDL downgraded to a driver's license.
If you need to have your CDL reinstated, you must wait for the suspension period to be completed and you must then pay any necessary fines and retake a test to obtain the CDL. Because this can lead to you being unable to perform your job for a period of time, you should consider hiring a drunk driving attorney to help you fight your DUI.
Common Arguments Against a DUI
There are several methods that a law enforcement officer can use to determine if you have a high BAC. These include:
- A sobriety test
- A breathalyzer test
- A blood test
- A urine test
Each of these can lead to inaccurate results when they are not carried out properly. Therefore, you may be able to argue that the results of the test should be thrown out. Then, the prosecutor will have a much more difficult time proving that you were driving under the influence. Contact drunk driving attorneys near you if you are dealing with a DUI case.
