CDL License Impact

Drivers with commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) have large consequences if they are convicted of a DUI in Middletown. Large trucks, buses, trucks holding hazardous materials, and other commercial vehicles all require a CDL to be legally driven in Connecticut. Drivers with a CDL have higher standards than regular drivers because of the precious cargo that they carry and the size of these vehicles.

An accident could be deadly and damage many other vehicles, people, roadways, or buildings because of the size of commercial vehicles as well as the fact that they could be carrying a lot of people or hazardous material. If you have a commercial driver’s license, you want to protect it at all costs because it oftentimes is your livelihood. Learn more about what to do if you face a DUI and you have a CDL license on this page.

DUI Issues

commercial driver’s licenses can be in trouble if a person is involved in a driving under the influence situation. A CDL could be disqualified for a year if the driver refuses to take a blood alcohol content (BAC) test, is convicted of a DUI, or fails the BAC test. License disqualification could be three years if the DUI occurs while the offender was transporting hazardous materials needing special placards under federal law.

Automatic disqualification of a CDL can happen for three reasons, which are 1) refusal to take a BAC test under any circumstance despite what vehicle was driven at the time, 2) BAC of 0.08% while driving any vehicle or 0.04% while driving a commercial vehicle., and 3) any DUI conviction coming from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Subsequent DUI charges for any CDL holder will result in disqualification for life from having a commercial driver’s license, although they can apply for reinstatement after 10 years and once a voluntary addiction treatment program is completed. The DMV Commissioner has the ability to disqualify a Connecticut CDL license following any BAC test failure or refusal or DUI conviction in another state.

Federal Regulations

CDL truck drivers must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s regulations for driving while using drugs or alcohol. Because there are safety risks with driving large and possibly dangerous loads of hazardous cargo and materials, the regulations are restrictive and set the BAC limit to 0.04%. The FMCSA regulations also claim that refusing to take a blood alcohol test will lead to automatically finding the offender guilty of driving intoxicated.

CDL drivers with a DUI charge in Middletown face great impacts on their livelihoods and reputations. Having a DUI denfese lawyer in your corner is even more important. Contact Lady DUI if you need a lawyer to represent you.