Should A DUI End A Truck Driving Career?

The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for Illinois truck drivers is .04. That’s about two beers for most people. Two beers to be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). Two beers to lose a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and end a truck driving career.

The Penalties For CDL DUI

Like all other drivers, truck drivers in Illinois run the risk of fines and time behind bars if they are arrested for DUI. Unlike other drivers though, truck drivers charged with DUI run the risk of losing their CDL, which in turn means losing their job.

First DUI conviction will result in a one-year CDL disqualification. Second DUI conviction will result in a lifetime CDL disqualification, although that can be reduced to a 10-year disqualification in certain circumstances. For most truck drivers, no CDL means no job. No job means no paycheck.

There is little choice but to fight the drunk driving charge.

Drunk Driving Charges Can Be Fought

Do not assume that you have no options because you blew a .04. First of all, Breathalyzer tests are not infallible. These are machines that can actually be unreliable if they have not been properly calibrated and maintained, or if they are not used correctly. Furthermore, police officers often stop drivers illegally or commit other violations during DUI arrests.

There may be any number of issues that can be the basis for challenging a CDL DUI charge. You simply need an experienced attorney to spot the issues and fight for you.

A skilled criminal defense lawyer will look for ways to force the government to drop the charges against you, to have the charges reduced to a lesser offense or to win your case. The goal is to keep you behind the wheel so you can continue to earn a living.