DWAI and DUI Charges with a CDL
Do you have a commercial driver license (CDL), and were you recently stopped for driving while ability impaired (DWAI) or driving under the influence (DUI) in Colorado? If so, it is critical for you to know that CDL holders who are arrested for intoxicated driving face more serious consequences than motorists who do not hold a commercial driver’s license. Not only can you face penalties with a lower amount of alcohol in your system than a non-commercial driver, but your livelihood will be impacted because your CDL will be automatically suspended.
Accordingly, it is essential for any commercial driver who is facing any type of charges for drunk driving or drugged driving in Colorado to seek legal help with their defense. Our Denver DUI defense lawyers can tell you more about commercial DUIs in Colorado and other important information for you to consider.
Drunk Driving Charges for Commercial Drivers
You may know that a DUI in Colorado can be charged when a motorist has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent and higher, and that the lesser charge of a DWAI can be charged when a driver has a BAC of 0.05 percent or higher.
For commercial drivers, the BAC threshold for an intoxicated driving charge is much lower. A commercial driver with a BAC of 0.04 percent or higher while driving a commercial vehicle can face commercial DUI charges.
Consequences of Drunk Driving for Your CDL
A commercial DUI will result in a CDL suspension of at least one year, and up to three years depending on the type of material you were hauling. The process for reinstatement is possible after the suspension period, but it will be more complex than having a regular driver’s license reinstated. If you get a second commercial DUI conviction, you will receive a CDL lifetime ban. In some circumstances, it may be possible to have the CDL reinstated after 10 years.
The criminal penalties will be those associated with the type of intoxicated driving charge you are facing, such as a DUI or DUI-D. If you refused a chemical test after arrest, you will face additional consequences. For a first-time offense, penalties include fines, community service, license suspension, and the use of an ignition interlock device in your regular vehicle. You may also have to serve jail time.
The consequences of a commercial DUI go beyond the DMV and criminal penalties. Indeed, most motorists who carry a CDL require that license in order to do their job and to earn a living. As such, having a CDL suspended usually means that you cannot continue to do your job and to earn a living in the way you have become accustomed.
Contact a Denver DUI Defense Lawyer
Are you a commercial driver who was recently arrested for a DUI? It is extremely important to work with a lawyer on your defense. If you want to keep your CDL, you will need to avoid a DUI conviction. For anyone who has already been convicted and has had their CDL suspended, our firm can also speak with you about your options for CDL reinstatement. Do not hesitate to reach out to one of the experienced Denver DUI defense attorneys at DeChant Law. We can speak with you today about your case and your options.
Sources:
dmv.colorado.gov/cdl-general-information
law.justia.com/codes/colorado/2021/title-42/article-2/part-1/section-42-2-126/
