Let’s take a look at an Indiana DUI topic that doesn’t get enough attention—the impact of a DUI arrest on a person’s commercial driver’s license (CDL). Regulations and standards for CDLs are controlled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. In the State of Indiana, a CDL is required in order to lawfully operate:
- a commercial motor vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 26,000 pounds;
- a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more people; and
- a vehicle used to transport hazardous materials.
As a result, CDLs are a crucial part of our economy, whether we’re talking about keeping the shelves stocked with goods, getting people home safely, or disposing of dangerous waste.
The Stakes for CDL Holders
When a CDL holder is charged with a DUI, the consequences are extreme. Most DUI cases involve a driver failing a certified chemical test. If this chemical test failure is reported to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), it triggers an automatic one-year CDL disqualification—even before the case is resolved.
If no disqualification is imposed while the case is pending, it will likely occur if and when the CDL driver is convicted. For a first offense, the disqualification lasts for one year. If you’re charged again, the stakes are even higher. A second DUI conviction results in a lifetime CDL disqualification.
Click here to read more about CDLs and DUI charges.
