Holding a commercial driver’s license in Colorado opens doors to numerous opportunities for employment. However, if you’ve received a DUI in the past, this might impede your ability to obtain a CDL, and receiving a DUI charge after already having a CDL can bring on its own set of challenges. So, can you get a CDL with a DUI in Colorado?
Understanding how DUI cases affect your legal rights is important for those seeking to become a CDL driver as well as those already holding a commercial drivers license. In these cases, a DUI conviction doesn’t just influence your personal life; it can have serious implications for your professional career. Knowing whether you can get your commercial license issued or reinstated after a DUI is the first step in planning your future in the transportation industry.
At WeedenLaw, we are dedicated to helping CDL drivers in Denver. If you’re facing a DUI charge or need assistance getting your commercial license reinstated, our experienced team is here to protect your legal rights. Contact us today by calling (720) 307-4330 for a free consultation and take the first step toward securing your career.
What is a CDL?
A CDL refers to a Commercial Drivers License. This is a type of license that permits individuals to operate large or heavy commercial vehicles like trucks and buses.
To get a CDL license in Colorado, an aspiring commercial driver must complete CDL training and pass written and skills tests. This license is mandatory for those looking to become truck drivers or pursue careers involving commercial motor vehicles.
Commercial Driver’s License Requirements
A commercial driver’s license allows individuals to operate large or heavy vehicles like trucks, buses, and tankers. Obtaining a CDL in Colorado involves meeting specific requirements that align with state laws and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, including:
- Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to drive commercial vehicles within Colorado and 21 years old to drive commercial vehicles across state lines or transport hazardous materials.
- Valid Driver’s License: You need a current Colorado driver’s license.
- Medical Certification: A valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate proving you’re physically fit to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
- Knowledge and Skills Tests: Pass written knowledge tests and a road skills test for the specific class of CDL you’re seeking.
- Background Check: A background check is mandatory for endorsements like hazardous materials.
- Clean Driving Record: Major offenses and serious traffic violations can disqualify you from obtaining a CDL.
Colorado CDL Alcohol Limit
For CDL holders, Colorado imposes stricter blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits compared to regular drivers. While the legal limit for non-commercial drivers is 0.08%, commercial drivers are held to a blood alcohol content limit of 0.04% when operating a commercial vehicle. Exceeding the BAC limit can lead to immediate suspension of your CDL and other severe penalties enforced by the state department.
It’s important to understand Colorado alcohol limits for driving even if you’re driving a personal vehicle, as a DUI conviction can still affect your CDL status. The state holds CDL drivers to higher standards due to the potential risks associated with operating large vehicles. Violations can result in loss of driving privileges and significantly affect your career as a commercial driver.
Getting a CDL After a DUI Charge
Receiving a DUI charge can also complicate your plans to get a CDL license in Colorado in the future if you don’t have one already. If you’re determined to pursue a career operating commercial vehicles, understanding the steps involved after such a setback is important.
Can You Get Your CDL With a DUI?
A conviction for driving under the influence doesn’t necessarily bar you from obtaining a CDL in Colorado, but having a DUI on your record does complicate the process. Here’s what you need to know:
- License Reinstatement: Before applying for a CDL, your regular driver’s license must be reinstated. A suspended or revoked license disqualifies you from CDL eligibility.
- Waiting Period: You may face a mandatory waiting period after your DUI conviction before you can apply for a CDL.
- DUI Programs: Completing court-ordered DUI education or rehabilitation programs may be required. Visit our website for Denver addiction resources.
- Legal Advice: Seek legal advice from a Colorado DUI attorney who can provide guidance tailored to your situation.
How Long Do You Have to Wait to Get a CDL After a DUI?
The waiting period may vary depending on the specifics of your DUI conviction:
- First Offense: For a first-offense DUI in CO, you may have to wait until your driver’s license suspension period ends, which, in most cases, is one year. This might affect your chances of being hired by a potential employer in the trucking industry.
- Second Offense: A second DUI conviction can result in longer suspension periods of 3 or more years or even a lifetime disqualification from obtaining a CDL.
- Severity of Offense: Aggravating factors, such as high blood alcohol content levels or DUI-related accidents, may extend the waiting period.
It’s important to check with the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles and an experienced Denver attorney for exact timelines regarding how long a DUI stays on your driving record and how it may impact CDL eligibility.
Holding a CDL and Getting a DUI Charge
CDL holders convicted of a DUI face significant challenges that can affect their livelihoods. After all, holding a CDL license means you’re held to higher standards when operating a commercial vehicle, and a DUI charge can jeopardize your career as a commercial driver, whether you were in a commercial vehicle or a personal vehicle at the time.
What Happens If You Get a DUI With a CDL?
If you’re a CDL holder and receive a DUI charge, the consequences are immediate and severe. These consequences include:
- Immediate Suspension: A DUI can automatically suspend your CDL, even if the offense occurred while driving a personal vehicle.
- Disqualification Periods: A first-time DUI offense can lead to a one-year disqualification from operating commercial motor vehicles.
- Job Loss: Employers may terminate your employment due to liability concerns and federal regulations.
- Legal Penalties: You may face fines, jail time, and mandatory alcohol education programs.
Do You Lose Your CDL If You Get a DUI?
A DUI conviction can result in losing your CDL temporarily or permanently. For a first offense, the suspension is typically temporary, though the length of time depends on the factors of the offense. For a second offense, it is likely that you will lose your CDL permanently.
As you can see, the impact on your career is significant. Even if you apply for a different commercial driving job, trucking companies are often reluctant to hire drivers with a DUI on their record due to higher insurance premiums and safety concerns.
How Long Do You Lose Your CDL If You Get a DUI?
The amount of time you lose your CDL after a DUI conviction depends on the specifics of the offense.
- First DUI Offense: One-year disqualification from operating commercial vehicles.
- First DUI While Transporting Hazardous Materials: Three-year disqualification.
- Second DUI Offense: Lifetime disqualification, with a possibility of reinstatement after ten years under specific conditions.
These disqualification periods are mandated by federal regulations and state laws, leaving little room for leniency.
Reinstating a CDL After a DUI Conviction
A CDL driver who wishes to resume operating a commercial vehicle after a DUI conviction must follow specific reinstatement procedures. A Denver criminal defense attorney like Jeff Weeden can help you understand these procedures and guide you through them, giving you the best possible chance of successfully reinstating your license.
How Do I Get My CDL Back After a DUI?
Reinstating your CDL involves several steps. We’ll list these below:
- Serve the Disqualification Period: Complete the mandatory suspension or disqualification time.
- Complete Court Requirements: Fulfill all court-ordered penalties, including fines, jail time, and DUI programs.
- Reinstatement of Driver’s License: Ensure your regular driver’s license is reinstated.
- Apply for CDL Reinstatement: Submit an application to the Colorado DMV.
- Pass Required Tests: You may need to retake the knowledge and skills tests for your CDL.
- Pay Reinstatement Fees: Cover all associated costs for reinstating your CDL.
- Provide Documentation: Submit proof of completed DUI programs and any other required paperwork.
For multiple DUI offenses, reinstating your CDL becomes increasingly difficult, and lifetime disqualification may apply.
How Denver Criminal Defense Attorney Jeff Weeden Can Help
Attorney Jeff Weeden provides comprehensive legal representation in court for DUI charges, including for CDL drivers convicted of a DUI in Colorado. He assists in understanding the full scope of DUI charges, including the potential penalties you face and their effects on your CDL license and driving history. Jeff works to reduce or dismiss charges by developing a personalized defense strategy, protecting your rights as a commercial driver.
He’ll carefully examine the evidence against you, such as chemical tests and police procedures, to identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. He can also help in negotiating favorable plea deals, which can lessen the impact of a DUI conviction on your CDL application.
Beyond immediate legal defenses, Attorney Weeden also offers services like expungement and record sealing in Colorado to enhance your prospects with potential employers. Overall, his goal is to minimize the long-term consequences of a DUI conviction by guiding you through the requirements for reinstating your CDL license, allowing your career as a commercial driver to continue with minimal disruption.
Rest assured, Attorney Weeden and the legal team here at WeedenLaw are dedicated to assisting current CDL holders as well as CDL prospects who have been charged with drunk driving. From fighting the potential consequences of a DUI conviction to getting your CDL reinstated and/or defending against CDL disqualification by advocating on your behalf, our attorneys are here to help you regain your commercial driver’s license and return to your career without unnecessary delays.
DUI With a CDL License in Colorado? Call Weeden Law For Experienced Legal Assistance Today
Understanding the impact of a DUI on obtaining and holding a CDL in Colorado is important for commercial drivers. The stricter blood alcohol content limits for commercial drivers, the consequences of a DUI conviction with a commercial driver’s license, and the mandatory waiting periods before you can apply for or reinstate your CDL are key factors to consider. Knowing the steps required to reinstate your CDL after a DUI conviction—such as completing necessary programs and fulfilling legal obligations—can help you make informed decisions about your future in the transportation industry.
At WeedenLaw, our Denver criminal attorneys are committed to helping CDL drivers in Colorado navigate these legal issues, protect their rights, and address DUI charges successfully, allowing you to continue your career as a commercial driver with confidence.
Don’t leave your future to chance. Contact Denver DUI defense attorney Jeff Weeden at WeedenLaw for experienced legal assistance by calling (720) 307-4330 or sending a message online today.
