As a commercial vehicle operator, you must follow specific rules and regulations related to your profession. If you end up with a drunk driving charge, your ability to drive commercial vehicles and your DUI are not compatible. You could lose your job in the short term and your livelihood in the long term.
Learn more about the criminal penalties and possibility of a license revocation for anyone who holds a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and receives a DUI charge.
You May Be Facing Severe Consequences
For a commercial driver, the consequences of a DUI arrest are severe. Even if you are driving a personal vehicle when you receive your DUI charge, you could lose the ability to drive a commercial vehicle.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires anyone driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to maintain a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.04 percent or less. This is half the allowable BAC of 0.08 percent or less for someone driving a non-commercial vehicle in Colorado.
If you are a commercial driver under the age of 21, you must maintain a BAC of 0.02 percent or less to avoid a DUI charge.
You Could Lose Your CDL
If you professionally drive commercial vehicles, your DUI in your personal vehicle during non-working hours could cost you your CDL for at least one year, in addition to a personal driver’s license suspension.
Penalties for Commercial DUIs
Colorado’s DUI penalties for commercial drivers include:
- A one-year revocation of your CDL for a first offense
- A three-year revocation of your CDL for a first offense if you were transporting hazardous materials
- A lifetime revocation of your CDL for a second or subsequent offense
At the time of your arrest, police may ask you to take a chemical test of your blood or breath. If you refuse any of these tests, the state can revoke your CDL for a year or more.
Your Livelihood Is in Jeopardy
Should you suffer a DUI arrest, either on or off duty, while holding a CDL, your livelihood is in jeopardy. Even if the state reinstates your CDL after a year (or more), you may struggle to find a trucking company that will hire you.
A DUI is an extremely serious charge for someone who works as a commercial driver.
Contact Our DUI Defense Attorney To Help With Your Case
You don’t have to plead guilty to the charges just because the police arrested you for DUI. Our criminal defense team might find facts that show you are innocent. We may also be able to negotiate reduced charges against you that would allow you to keep your CDL.
Driving commercial vehicles and your DUI do not go hand in hand. If you receive a drunk driving charge, you want to defend yourself vigorously. Not only do you want to avoid criminal penalties, but you also don’t want to lose your livelihood.
Our Colorado DUI attorney will work tirelessly to defend you against these charges. Call Churchill Criminal Defense today at (303) 832-9000 for a free consultation.
