CDL DUI and Your Future

By Jonathan Blecher on July 23, 2015

According to Florida State law, it is illegal for a driver in possession of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and operating a commercial vehicle to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.04% or higher. While this is just half of a typical driving under the influence (DUI) charge, the strictness is in place to discourage commercial drivers to ever drink and drive, as their vehicles are much larger and much more difficult to control than a standard automobile. One mistake could lead to a catastrophic crash.

It’s Easier to Get Charged with a CDL DUI and Harder to Recover

In addition to normal DUI penalties – such as up to $1000 in fines and up to nine months in jail – a commercial driver will be hit
with their own set of unique punishments. Most notably, upon conviction, an offender will have their CDL suspended and will be banned from operating a commercial vehicle for at least one year. On top of that already-crushing consequence, you will be ineligible from obtaining a hardship license and you must pay a hefty “disqualification reinstatement fee” just to get your CDL back after the ban expires.

Your Life Savings Are In Jeopardy

Getting stripped of your CDL can mean the end to your current way of making a living. For many commercial drivers, their truck is their life, their sole source of income. Being unable to go to work for a year can completely gouge their finances. Worse yet, everyone does background checks these days. With technology tossing everything into the cloud and companies networking together with the click of a button, there is no reason not to look at someone’s criminal record when they apply for a job. If you have been convicted of a CDL DUI, you can bet that it will make getting another trucking position troublesome.

If you are facing CDL DUI charges, the wise choice is to retain professional assistance immediately. With an experienced DUI attorney from my firm, Jonathan Blecher, P.A., you can start building a case that represents your rights as a commercial driver and protects your well-being and your family’s financial stability. After all, with so much on the table, you simply cannot afford to go into court unprepared. Contact me today and I would be happy to help you with a free initial consultation.