DUI Charges And Commercial Driver’s Licenses

Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs and alcohol is a criminal act no matter what you do for a living, but if you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and your career or job requires driving, a DUI conviction may cost you your job.

Holders of CDLs may find themselves in ever more serious trouble than people who do not drive for a living.

CDL Holders Face Serious Consequences For DUI

Drivers holding a CDL are subjected to enhanced penalties for DUI-related charges.

• The blood alcohol concentration limit for someone who holds a CDL and is operating a commercial vehicle is .04 percent.
• A DUI conviction while operating either a commercial vehicle or a non-commercial vehicle will result in a one-year license suspension.
• A refusal to take a breath test while operating either a commercial vehicle or a non-commercial vehicle will result in a one-year license suspension.
• A second DUI conviction while operating a commercial vehicle or a non-commercial vehicle will result in a lifetime suspension of one’s driver’s license.
• A second refusal to take a breath test while operating either a commercial or a non-commercial vehicle will result in a lifetime suspension.
• Federal regulations prohibit the reduction of the suspension period of DUI-related offenses by CDL drivers for any reason.

Prompt Action Is Important

If you hold a CDL and you are arrested for DUI, your career and ability to support your family is in jeopardy. It is important to enlist the representation of a knowledgeable DUI defense lawyer immediately. Contact the Law Offices of Mel Coxwell today at 601-825-3124 or use our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss the details of your case. We serve clients in Brandon, Jackson and throughout central Mississippi.