Being charged and potentially convicted of a DUI, no matter what type of driver’s license you hold, can be very serious. It can have long-term consequences. Hence, if you hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and are charged with a DUI, it can lead to a suspension that is devastating to your livelihood. And can definitely affect your ability to make a living.
Our attorneys have vast experience in handling DUI cases that involve individuals who hold a CDL. If you have been charged with a DUI, it is vital that you hire an attorney as soon as possible to defend you from the charges. An attorney can also potentially help you keep both your CDL and your state-issued driver’s license.
Call our law firm now at (410) 484-0400.
Schedule a free consultation to speak with one of our attorneys. They can explain your legal options and guide you on how to proceed with your case. We have many years of experience in dealing with DUI cases that involve commercial driver’s licenses.
What are the Penalties for a DUI if You Hold a CDL in Maryland?
The penalties for a DUI can be very harsh in the state of Maryland. This is especially true in cases where the individual holds a commercial driver’s license. Those who hold a CDL are held to a much higher standard than non-commercial drivers.
If you are caught driving impaired in your personal vehicle and hold a CDL license, you are still at risk of losing your commercial license. Essentially, CDL holders are held to a higher standard than non-commercial drivers because they drive for a living. The risk for potential injury and even death is greater when a commercial vehicle is involved
If you are convicted of DUI in Maryland and it is your first offense, you can expect to have your license suspended for one year. If you refuse to submit to a breathalyzer or your blood alcohol content is extremely high at the time of testing, your CDL may be disqualified. This can happen even before a conviction occurs.
To make matters worse, receiving a DUI will stay on both your criminal record and your driving record.
Most insurance companies ensure truck drivers are not willing to take a risk on individuals who have been convicted of a DUI. As a result, obtaining insurance can become significantly more challenging. This can severely impact your ability to gain employment in the future.
What Happens If I Receive a Second DUI and Have a CDL?
If you are caught a second time and are once again convicted of a DUI, your CDL will be permanently revoked for life. There is no time limit as to DUI convictions counting against you when you hold a CDL. For example, if you were convicted of a DUI twenty years ago and then are convicted again, your CDL will be permanently revoked for life no matter how long it has been between convictions.
In some extremely rare cases, there have been judges who will grant reinstatement of a CDL license after a period of 10 years. However, those cases are very few and far between and are more the exception than the rule.
How Can an Attorney Help Me With a DUI if I Have a CDL?
Those who hold a commercial driver’s license risk losing their employment if they are charged with a DUI. This can also impact their ability to provide for their families. From the very moment that you are stopped for suspicion of DUI, your life can be permanently changed. It is worth mentioning that even a refusal to submit to a breathalyzer can have severe consequences for your CDL.
Hiring an experienced DUI defense attorney can give you the best chance of beating the DUI charge and avoiding the suspension of your CDL and state-issued driver’s license. Our experienced attorneys can contest the validity of the initial stop and the procedures used during your sobriety tests. They can also challenge the dependability of the chemical blood testing or breathalyzer results.
Our attorneys will work hard to defend you against the DUI charges that you may be facing. We understand the complex rules that govern a CDL suspension and DUI charges. We will work hard to produce potential results that will be favorable to you. Contact our law offices by calling (410) 484-0400 and scheduling a free consultation. We greatly look forward to serving you.
