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CDL DUI

Phoenix CDL DUI Attorney

Commercial Drivers and Drunk Driving Charges

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and you possess a commercial driver's license (CDL), your driving privileges as well as your livelihood may be at risk. A Phoenix DUI attorney from Knowles Law Firm, PLC is able to handle these types of cases. Because your future is on the line, the attorney you choose to represent you is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions you could make. One of the most common types of cases we handle is DUI, which is why you can trust our team to aggressively defend your rights as a CMV driver.

If you drive a commercial vehicle, you must possess a CDL issued through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation. This CDL program was instituted in 1986 in order to increase safety on America's roads and highways. In order to attain a CDL, drivers have to pass written and behind the wheel examinations.

Not only are the regulations for attaining a CDL more strenuous than for a regular driver license, the standards that must be upheld are also stricter. One of those stricter regulations involves drunk driving. While for regular passenger vehicle drivers the maximum blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent, for drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) the maximum BAC is .04 percent.

Notifying Your Employer

Within 30 days of your traffic violation, you must notify your employer. This goes for any type of moving violation (aside from parking tickets) and not strictly just DUIs. All CMV drivers must do this, even if their DUI was not incurred while they were on the job or even driving their truck.

This has the potential to not only harm your current employment, but also future employment opportunities. Employers are able to access your employment history up to ten years in the past. If you were previously a commercial driver and incurred a DUI, this will likely show up on your employment history. There are three main types of violations that CMV drivers can get: major violations, serious violations and railroad highway grade crossing violations.

Listed below are the various penalties (disqualifications) that CMV drivers will have to face if they are arrested and convicted for a DUI:

  • Major Offenses Disqualification: First violation of this nature will result in a 1-year disqualification (3 years if the driver was transporting hazardous materials). Second violation results in a lifetime disqualification.
  • Serious Traffic Violation Disqualification: A first violation of this nature is not extremely serious and will not result in disqualification, but a second violation within three years of the first will warrant a 60-day disqualification. A third will result in a 120-day disqualification.
  • Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Disqualification: First violation involves disqualification for 60 days minimum. A second within three years result in a 120-day minimum disqualification.

Our Phoenix DUI Lawyers Offer FREE Consultations

If you drive a commercial motor vehicle and you have been arrested for a DUI, you know that your job is on the line. With so much at stake, please do not hesitate to contact a Phoenix DUI attorney at Knowles Law Firm, PLC. Lead Attorney Anthony Knowles formerly served as a police officer, which affords him valuable insight particularly into cases such as this.

We can help you fight your charges. To start the process, contact the firm today for a free case evaluation!

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