What happens if I’m a Georgia CDL Driver and get charged with a DUI?

A CDL or a Commercial Driver's License is a type of license that is held to much higher standards than other classes of licenses in Georgia. Not just Georgia law but federal law as well outlines the criteria for commercial drivers. In fact, there are certain disqualifications that can take away someone's commercial driving privileges. I'd like to outline two of the most common types of disqualifications in today's post.

One of those disqualifications is a DUI with a CDL License.

If you have a CDL and get convicted for your first Georgia DUI, your license can end up being suspended for up to a year. A conviction for your second Georgia DUI can actually result in a lifetime CDL disqualification. 

Commercial drivers can be charged with a DUI per se with as low as a 0.04 Blood Alcohol Concentration level if driving his or her commercial vehicle at the time of the arrest. You will face a commercial disqualification if you refuse to take a chemical test. Even the Georgia Implied Consent Notice is different for CDL Drivers.

Even if you were driving your personal vehicle at the time of the alleged DUI, the above-mentioned Georgia DUI Penalties will apply.

Another disqualification is a major traffic violation. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Failure to Report: Striking an Unattended Vehicle, Striking a Fixed Object, or an Accident
• Hit and Run 
• Using a motor vehicle in the Commission of a Felony
• Homicide by Vehicle
• Driving a Commercial Motor Vehicle with a Suspended or Disqualified CDL
• Racing on Highways
• Operating a Motor Vehicle with Revoked or Suspended Registration
• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude An Officer
• Theft of a Commercial Vehicle 

Much like the first DUI conviction for a CDL Driver, a first conviction for any Major Traffic Violation for an individual with a CDL will result in a one year disqualification. And a second Major Traffic Violation conviction will result in a lifetime disqualification. The only exception is if the second conviction is a part of the same incident as the first.

Even though federal regulations give states the opportunity to consider the re-issuance of CDLs after 10 years on lifetime disqualifications - the State of Georgia will not reinstate commercial driving privileges after a lifetime disqualification for any reason whatsoever.

As you can see if you have been charged with a major traffic violation or a DUI with a CDL, you are facing life-altering consequences. Contact a Georgia DUI Lawyer today.