Do you lose your CDL if you get a Maine OUI?

The question (Do you lose your CDL if you get a Maine OUI?) is one I can get from clients who drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) as a part of their job. This is a good question to ask, because a DUI conviction can have a significant negative effect on a person’s commercial driver’s license (CDL), including a possible one (1) year or more suspension (for a first offense) or a lifetime disqualification (for a subsequent offense) of the person’s CDL. Put frankly, when you have a CDL, a DUI charge in Maine has the potential to put your commercial driver’s license at risk, and so this would be a serious situation indeed.

Do you lose your cdl if you get a Maine OUI?

The answer to the question (Do you lose your CDL if you get a Maine OUI?) is YES, Your CDL is at risk and you risk losing your ability to earn an income through your commercial driver’s license. For specific information what could happen to you if you have a CDL, please feel free to call me for a free consultation. Each case has unique circumstances, which will help frame the situation. Once I understand your situation, I can help answer your questions about your specific circumstances.

Criminal DUI with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

If you were driving your own car at the time of the DUI traffic stop, you can be charged with DUI under the following circumstances:

Operating a motor vehicle while;
- Under the influence of intoxicants; or
- Having an alcohol level of 0.08 grams or more of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or 201 liters of breath.

You should note that the law has some differences if you hold a CDL or were operating a commercial motor vehicle at the time of the DUI stop. For more information on being charged with a DUI while operating a commercial motor vehicle, please refer to my Maine CDL OUI article.

Once charged with DUI, the court process and Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) process is much the same as for non-commercial driver’s license holders. You can read more about a first offense DUI in Maine here. However, A CDL holder has much more at stake. If there is either an administrative determination that the driver operated a motor vehicle whole under the influence or a criminal conviction for DUI, not only is that person facing a suspension of their driver’s license, but an additional suspension of their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) as well. As stated briefly above, your CDL will be suspended for a year or more on a first offense and then a lifetime disqualification for a second or subsequent offence.

Your Commercial Driver’s License at Risk

Ultimately, since your employment depends on you maintaining a commercial driver’s license, having that commercial driver’s license suspended carries the risk of putting your job at risk. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to fight any driving-related criminal charges, including DUI, if you have a commercial driver’s license.

Our committed legal team is determined to take immediate action to seek a positive case outcome. If you or someone you know is charged with drunk driving in Maine while having a commercial driver’s license, I encourage you to contact The Nielsen Group for your free legal consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney. We will take the time to answer your questions and to put your mind at ease as we work with you to determine a defense strategy.

It is well worth your time to check out:

If you would like to call us now at (207) 571-8555, we can begin to develop your case strategy.

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