Not only does having a commercial driver’s license (CDL) give individuals the ability to operate massive trucks and common carrier vehicles such as buses, it is also a way to make a living and provide for the family. If you lose your license, you lose your livelihood.
According to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, if a CDL holder is convicted of certain violations in either a commercial vehicle or a private vehicle, his/her ability to operate a CDL vehicle is disqualified. The length of disqualification can last between 60 days and a lifetime.
Common major violations include:
- DUI/OVI
- Driving with a suspended license
- Causing death due to negligence
- Hit and run
- Driving a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony
CDL Drivers & Ohio DUI
If you are a commercial vehicle driver and have been arrested for a DUI, your CDL will be subject to an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) not exceeding 90 days. If you were operating a commercial vehicle at the time of the arrest, you will also be placed out of service for one day (24 hours).
Remember, having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .04 or higher—as opposed to the .08 legal limit for ordinary motorists. If you refuse a post-arrest chemical test (e.g. breath or blood test), your CDL will be suspended for one year.
If you fail to appeal the ALS, your CDL will be disqualified. Although you may still obtain restricted driving privileges for operating non-commercial vehicles, you are not allowed to drive a commercial vehicle during the period of the ALS.
If a stay is granted, your CDL privileges will be restored while your criminal case plays out. If the appeal is granted, your CDL privileges will be fully restored.
If you are convicted of drunk driving in Ohio, the CDL disqualification period lasts up to one year for a first offense. In the event of a second DUI conviction, it results in a lifetime suspension.
What Happens After a DUI Conviction in Ohio?
Even after your one-year suspension is over, there are still consequences due to having a DUI conviction on your criminal record. For example, you may not be hired once a potential employer gains access to your driving record and holds the charges against you. Additionally, insurance premiums will significantly increase.
How Our Legal Team Can Help
Since your future and reputation depend on your CDL, Patituce & Associates are dedicated to helping you obtain the best possible results in your case. We can investigate your case, collect evidence, create a strong defense strategy, and help you avoid letting a single arrest end your career.
For more information, contact us and schedule a free consultation today.
