Will A DWI Affect My CDL?
No one wants a DWI or DUI offense on their record. The consequences include embarrassment, fines, impoundment of your vehicle and its plates, jail time, and the revocation of your driver’s license. But if you are a commercial driver, cancellation of your CDL license due to a DWI is a much more severe matter.
Two Standards: Driving a Non-Commercial Vehicle
There are two standards that carriers of CDL Licenses need to be concerned about. One is for offenses that occur in a non-commercial vehicle. Suppose you are found to have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or more while operating a non-commercial vehicle. In that case, the State of Minnesota would revoke your class D driving privileges and disqualify you from driving CMVs for at least one year.
Driving a Commercial-Vehicle
The other standard is for carriers of a Commercial Driver’s License who drive a vehicle requiring a CDL for operation. Along with your CDL license comes extra responsibility—and harsher punishments if you break the law.
You may not consume any alcohol while on-duty or within the four hours before you go on duty. This could qualify you as driving a commercial motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance. If alcohol is detectable in your blood but under .04, you will be put out of service 24 hours. You drive a CMV when your blood alcohol concentration is 0.04 percent or more, you could lose your CDL license for a year for your first offense. The punishment will be just as harsh if you refuse to submit to an alcohol or drug test.
Other Factors that Could Make Your CDL Revocation Worse
- If it is your first offense, but it occurs while operating a CMV that is placarded for hazardous materials, you will lose your CDL for at least three years.
- A second disqualifying offense will result in losing your CDL privileges for life.
- You will also lose your CDL for life if you use a CMV to commit a felony involving a controlled substance.
- Refusing to take an alcohol or controlled substance test can result in a one-year, three-year, or lifetime disqualification from operating commercial motor vehicles. The actual length of disqualification depends on the number and severity of the incidents.
- Additional serious offenses such as excessive speed, reckless driving, or following too near the car ahead of you carry a penalty of 60 days for two violations in three years and 120 days for the third or subsequent violation.
- If you receive a disqualification notice, you may not operate a commercial vehicle until your CDL privileges are reinstated.
Your Livelihood
It is never a good experience to lose your driver’s license, but when it also means losing the ability to support your family, it can be especially painful. At White and Associates, we understand that it can be challenging to get your life back on track after a DWI, especially if you have lost your CDL license. We are here to help. If your CDL has been revoked for any reason, contact us today.
DWI Revocation of Your CDL License | 763-241-0477 | It is never a good experience to lose your driver’s license. Still, when it also means losing the ability to support your family, it can be challenging.
No one wants a DWI offense on their record. The consequences include embarrassment, fines, impoundment of your vehicle and its plates, jail time, and the revocation of your driver’s license. But if you are a commercial driver, cancellation of your CDL license due to a DWI is a much more severe matter.
