Are You Facing a CDL DUI in Michigan?

If you’re a truck driver, bus driver, parcel delivery person, mover, or commercial vehicle mechanic, driving for your occupation is likely your main source of income and you can’t afford to be without it for long.

So if you’ve gotten a CDL DUI in Michigan you should attend to it as soon as possible to help give yourself a chance to face the least stringent penalties.

That’s why it is important to hire an attorney who’s willing to fight for your career and do whatever it takes to limit the loss of your CDL.

What Is a CDL DUI?

If you don’t already know, a CDL DUI is a commercial driver DUI. It’s a charge against any driver who has a CDL and has been caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It’s a serious offense that can result in the loss of one’s commercial driver’s license (CDL). 

A CDL DUI differs from a regular DUI in one very crucial way. For commercial drivers in Michigan, the state regulates that your blood alcohol content can be no greater than .04% while driving your commercial vehicle. That’s half of the legal limit for a regular DUI.

In addition, it’s also important to note that you have been convicted of a first offense DUI while driving your personal vehicle, it can also impact your CDL license status.

Obviously, a CDL DUI can have a really negative impact on your career. Especially if left unaddressed. So if you’ve been charged with one, you need to contact an attorney with expertise in dealing with CDL DUIs. And do this as soon as possible so they can evaluate video and camera evidence and review all relevant documentation and information to prepare the best defense possible for you.

CDL DUI Penalties in Michigan

No matter what the situation, if you’ve been charged with a commercial driver DUI, your CDL could be suspended for some period of time. In Michigan, if you plead or are convicted, this amount of time is generally a year. During that time, you could have very little chance for a work in your field or hardship license and could even be unemployed. After that, your license is returned. If your license is revoked, however, you’ll need to re-apply for your CDL.

This doesn’t mean that after that year you’ll be able to start working again.  While rules vary from company to company depending on what sort of driving you do, trucking companies commonly require an absolute bare minimum of three years out from a CDL DUI before even considering a hire. Most are in the 5-7 year range.

Finally, if you’re convicted of a DUI and it’s your second or third offense, your CDL could be suspended for a minimum of ten years – if not permanently. So you definitely don’t want to risk operating a commercial vehicle while under any kind of influence of alcohol or drugs.

Need Help Now? Call (248) 645-1400

As we mentioned above, if you’ve been charged with a CDL DUI in Michigan, you need to act quickly. Especially if you believe you were wrongly convicted or if there were procedural errors during your arrest.

Whatever the case, don’t wait. Contact us today. You need the best legal counsel familiar with DUI cases and CDL regulations in your corner. We’re here for you. Let us fight for you and help you get the justice you deserve.