In South Carolina and every state in the country, commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders are held to a higher standard compared to non-commercial drivers. If a commercial driver is arrested for a DUI, a conviction can have a negative impact on their ability to work and support their families.
A CDL holder will be disqualified from operating a commercial vehicle for one year if his/her blood alcohol content (BAC) is at least .04 percent when arrested for a DUI – rather than the legal limit of .08 percent for non-commercial drivers – and if they are ultimately convicted. Additionally, the one-year CDL disqualification applies to drivers who refused to submit to a post-arrest chemical test.
If a commercial driver is convicted for a DUI while transporting hazardous materials, then the CDL disqualification will last three years. A second or subsequent conviction while driving any vehicle results in a lifetime disqualification.
Keep in mind, if a commercial driver convicted for a DUI while driving your personal vehicle and the sentence includes driver’s license suspension, this can also result in CDL disqualification.
Without the ability to operate a commercial vehicle, then the driver is unable to work, which could lead to job termination. Even once a driver’s CDL is reinstated, he/she will experience difficulties finding a job because having a DUI conviction on his/her record can be an employment risk and may carry higher insurance rates.
If you or a loved one has been arrested for a DUI in Lexington, SC, you need to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and help you avoid getting convicted. At the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, we have nearly two decades of experience defending clients against DUI charges.
Contact us today at (803) 359-3301 for a free initial consultation.