You earn your livelihood through your commercial driver’s license (CDL). If you have found yourself in the situation of being charged with a traffic offense or DUI, you could be faced with severe consequences. If you do not prepare properly, your license could even be suspended or revoked. It’s essential that you learn how to protect your CDL, especially after being charged with a DUI. Read on to learn the steps you should take to protect your CDL and livelihood, should you ever find yourself in this situation.
How Can I Protect My CDL After Getting a DUI?
As a Colorado commercial truck driver, you earn your living through your CDL. You recently were cited with a DUI while you were off duty. You were not driving your truck for work, just your car during leisure time. So your DUI citation shouldn’t affect your career, right? Well, the real answer is, wrong. Regardless of when, where, or what type of vehicle you were driving, receiving a DUI citation could prove devastating for your truck driving career.
While receiving a DUI citation should be taken very seriously, receiving a DUI ticket does not mean your career is over. However, if you are charged with a DUI, your CDL with be suspended for one year as first-time offender. If you are a repeat offender, your CDL can be revoked for a minimum of ten years. You could even have your CDL revoked for the rest of your life.
A DUI is a very serious charge. If you receive a DUI citation, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced DUI attorney to help you understand your rights and how to navigate the overall process. While receiving a DUI ticket does not mean your commercial driving career is over, your CDL will be in serious jeopardy if you do not take the necessary steps and procedures to clear yourself of these charges.
What is the Process For a CDL Holder After Receiving a DUI?
Receiving a DUI charge does not guarantee that you will receive a conviction. However, you can’t leave this decision up to chance. As a CDL holder, If you ever find yourself with a DUI charge, you must contact a DUI attorney as soon as possible. Without proper representation, you are almost guaranteed to have your license suspended for one full year. Being out of work for a year could easily prove devastating for you and your family’s financial wellbeing.
The bottom line is that if you are charged with a DUI offense, you must contact an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney will be able to help you navigate your DUI charge and hopefully prevent an undeserved conviction.
Major Offenses That Can Lead to an Automatic One-Year CDL Suspension
A DUI is considered a major violation for anyone who holds a CDL. If you are charged and found guilty of a major offense, it will likely lead to your CDL’s automatic one-year suspension. The following are major violations that all CDL holders should be aware of and avoid at all costs.
- Having a Blood Alcohol level of .04 while driving a commercial vehicle
- Receiving a DUI charge while driving a personal vehicle
- Refusing to take a breathalyzer or blood test
- Driving while drug-impaired
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Driving a commercial vehicle with a revoked or suspended license
- Committing a felony in your commercial vehicle
- Causing a death due to negligent driving while operating your vehicle
As a CDL holder, you know how important it is to keep a clean driving record. Failure to do so will likely lead to temporary suspension or permanent revocation. It is always in your best interest to avoid receiving charges for any of the above violations. If you do ever find yourself with a charge for one of the specified offenses, contact an attorney as soon as possible. Failure to find proper representation for your charge will likely lead to an outcome you want nothing to do with.
Consultant with an Experienced Colorado DUI Attorney Today
Every DUI is always a serious offense. According to the CDC, the annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $44 billion. Thousands of Americans also lose their lives unnecessarily each year through alcohol-related driving crashes. DUIs are no joke and should always be taken seriously. They are even more serious for individuals who make their living through driving commercially. DUI charges can be a complicated process to navigate alone. An experienced DUI attorney will have the knowledge and expertise to help negotiate your charges. They will also hopefully be able to lessen your charges or have them dismissed altogether. To achieve the best possible outcome in your Colorado DUI charge, consult with an experienced DUI attorney today.
