A business driver’s license can be suspended by the DMV. If you had a blood alcohol concentration of .04 percent or above while driving a business vehicle, your commercial driver’s license could be suspended. A driver’s commercial driver’s license can be suspended by the DMV, but he or she can also face criminal charges for DUI. If the driver was DUI and drove a non-commercial vehicle, his commercial driver’s license will be suspended if his blood-alcohol level was.08 percent or higher. In this article, we will discuss the consequences you can expect from a commercial driver DUI offense.
How DUI Law Works for Commercial Drivers
Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher is unlawful under California Vehicle Code 23152. Commercial drivers are held to a higher standard by the law since they frequently drive larger vehicles with potentially hazardous goods. Accidents involving commercial trucks can be fatal.
Commercial drivers are under the influence when their blood alcohol concentration is .04 percent or more, according to CVC 15210. This is half of what regular drivers get. While this regulation is intended to prevent fatal accidents, in theory, it only creates a double standard that unfairly penalizes responsible business drivers.
DUI Penalties for Commercial Drivers
Commercial drivers have it tougher than regular drivers. The following are the additional penalties:
- You could lose your driver’s license. If you get a second DUI, you’ll lose your CDL for good, and you’ll have no limited driving rights.
- You can get a restricted license that allows you to drive to and from work, but you can’t get a restricted CDL.
- Your CDL will be suspended for a full year – even if your employment requires you to drive. On a first violation, this might be as low as four months for other drivers.
If you work as a truck driver, having your CDL suspended will result in you losing your job. However, even after the one-year suspension has ended, you may encounter additional challenges at work:
- As you can see from the penalties listed above, a DUI can have a significant negative influence on your life if you have a CDL. Commercial drivers face a double standard that normal drivers do not. You must not allow these sanctions to stand uncontested. Your insurance will go up. Insurance rates almost always go up after a DUI. If you own your own commercial vehicle, this may make it impossible to continue to operate as a driver.
- You could lose your commercial driver’s license. Employers have the right to inquire about your criminal history, and if you have a DUI conviction on your record, even if it was years ago, they may use it against you. And many businesses do so when it comes to employing drivers.
The Jackson Bibby Awareness Group Can Help You Recover from Alcoholism
Jackson Bibby Awareness Group’s Licensed Driving-Under-the-Influence Education Program attempts to educate our clients on the negative effects of drinking and driving on the individual, family, and community. To ensure compliance and assist you in obtaining your driver’s license back as soon as possible, we work closely with the Department of Motor Vehicles and local courts. We’re here to help you finish the program and have a positive experience that promotes personal growth and long-term healthy lifestyle changes.
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