DWI with a Commercial Driver's License

 Posted on January 01, 2019 in Uncategorized

CDL truck drivers are in high demand in Texas and that's a good thing because the pay is excellent. The only problem: possessing a commercial driver's license (CDL) carries more responsibility than a normal driver's license. If you have ever been driving your truck after you had a glass of an alcoholic beverage, you may have been surprised to learn what exactly this means. You may have gotten behind the wheel feeling perfectly fine -- and likely were perfectly fine -- but you were still arrested anyway. Don't let this happen to you.

As the want for more CDL truck drivers increases in the Houston, Texas, area, here are some things to keep in mind if you possess a CDL, get a drink with dinner, and then hop into the cab of the truck.

DWI and Commercial Driver's Licenses

A commercial driver's license -- as you likely know -- is a license required for a person to drive a commercial motor vehicle, like a semi-truck, bus, or tractor trailer. With this supplemental license comes more stringent responsibilities with regard to driving while impaired -- whereas the legal limit for driving after consuming alcohol is a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% for the average driver, a person who is driving a commercial vehicle can be arrested for driving while impaired if his or her BAC is 0.04% or above. This means that for some commercial drivers, operating a commercial vehicle after a single drink can put the driver over the legal limit.

To make matters worse, a conviction of driving while impaired isn't necessary in order for a person's CDL to be affected--even if you were not convicted of your DWI charge, your commercial driver's license is at stake. A deferred sentence will count as a conviction for commercial purposes, which will result in the suspension of your CDL. Refusal to submit to a chemical test at the time of your traffic stop will result in the same punishment. Furthermore, you don't have to be driving a commercial vehicle at the time of your DWI charge to face a suspension of your CDL; your commercial driver's license will be suspended even if you were driving while impaired in your own passenger vehicle.

For Texans whose jobs depend on the possession of a valid CDL, the loss of the ability to drive isn't just an inconvenience--it's a threat to their career and their livelihood. As such, it's critical to enlist the help of a DWI defense attorney who has experience in handling DWI cases involving CDLs.

Charged with DWI with a CDL? Call Doug Murphy Today

If you hold a commercial driver's license in Texas and have been charged with driving while impaired, it's critical to arm yourself with strong legal representation from an attorney with experience in defending against DWI charges with relation to commercial driver's licenses. If your arrest occurred in or around the Houston area, Doug Murphy is standing by to provide you with the representation you need. You should never try to fight your DWI charge alone, and with Doug Murphy fighting by your side, you don't have to. To speak to a member of our legal team about your charge, fill out an online case evaluation form or call 713-229-8333 today.