What Commercial Drivers Need to Know Before It’s Too Late
If you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), your ability to drive is your livelihood. Unfortunately, many Indiana CDL holders don’t realize just how fragile that privilege is until it’s already gone. One night in your personal vehicle, off the clock, nowhere near your rig, can still put your entire career at risk.
Indiana law, combined with federal CDL regulations, is unforgiving when it comes to DUI, OWI, or OVWI charges. And for commercial drivers, the consequences are far more severe than most people expect.
CDL Drivers Are Held to a Higher Standard
Most drivers know the legal alcohol limit is 0.08. What many CDL holders forget is that this standard changes the moment you’re behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle.
- 0.08 is the legal limit for standard drivers
- 0.04 is the legal limit for CDL drivers operating a commercial vehicle
That lower threshold alone makes CDL holders more vulnerable to DUI and OWI charges. But the real shock comes when drivers learn this:
You do not need to be driving a commercial truck to lose your CDL.
A DUI in Your Personal Car Still Affects Your CDL
If you are convicted of a DUI / OWI / OVWI in Indiana, your CDL is suspended for one full year, even if:
- You were driving your personal vehicle
- The incident happened off-duty
- Your commercial truck was nowhere nearby
The law is clear. A DUI conviction anywhere is treated as a serious violation for CDL holders.
For drivers who rely on their CDL to pay the bills, that one-year suspension can be financially devastating.
Refusing a Breath or Chemical Test Makes Things Worse
Some drivers believe refusing a breath or blood test will protect them. In reality, refusal often creates even bigger problems, especially for CDL holders.
In Indiana:
- Refusing a chemical test triggers an automatic one-year suspension
- This suspension applies even if you are never convicted
- CDL holders are not spared from these administrative penalties
Refusal does not save your license. It guarantees consequences.
A Second DUI Means a Lifetime CDL Ban
The stakes get even higher if there is a prior DUI on your record.
Under federal CDL regulations:
- Two DUI-related offenses = lifetime CDL disqualification
- It does not matter whether the offenses occurred in a car or a truck
- There are no exceptions and no second chances
For professional drivers, this is the end of the road. Once your CDL is permanently revoked, you cannot legally operate a commercial vehicle again.
Specialized Driving Privileges Do Not Restore a CDL
In some cases, Indiana courts may grant specialized driving privileges, allowing limited driving for necessities like work or medical appointments. However, CDL holders need to understand one critical limitation:
Specialized driving privileges never allow you to operate a commercial vehicle.
Even if a judge grants limited driving rights, your CDL remains unusable. You may be able to drive your personal car, but you cannot return to commercial driving.
A DUI Follows You Long After the Suspension Ends
The consequences of a DUI extend beyond license suspensions. A conviction on your record can make it extremely difficult to find work in the trucking industry.
Many carriers:
- Conduct extensive background checks
- Refuse to hire drivers with DUI convictions
- View DUI history as an unacceptable risk
Even if you eventually regain driving privileges, that record doesn’t disappear. It can follow you for years.
Why CDL DUI Cases Require a Strong Defense
DUI cases are not automatic losses. There are defenses that can make a real difference, including:
- Challenging the legality of the traffic stop
- Examining breath or blood test procedures
- Reviewing whether testing equipment was properly maintained
- Identifying constitutional or procedural violations
For CDL holders, early legal intervention matters. The goal is not just fighting a charge, it’s protecting your license, your income, and your future.
Take Action Before It’s Too Late
If you hold a CDL and are facing a DUI, OWI, OVWI, or drunk driving charge in Indiana, time is not on your side. Every decision you make right now can affect whether you ever drive commercially again.
The Marc Lopez Law Firm understands how much is at stake for CDL drivers. We know the law, the process, and how these cases impact real lives.
Call the Marc Lopez Law Firm today at 463-241-6548 to schedule a consultation. Let us talk through your situation and determine the best way to protect your future.
And remember, always plead the Fifth.
