Commercial Drivers license can I get one after a DUI?
Recently on our DUI forum a user asked, I have never driven an 18 wheeler truck, but I think I might be interested in getting my commercial drivers license and giving it a try. One problem- I got a DUI a few years back. Will this eliminate my right to drive a truck?Who regulates commercial drivers license laws?
Headquartered in Washington, DC, and established as a separate administrative arm within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on January 1, 2000, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is dedicated to improving the safety of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) and saving lives. To accomplish this goal, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration institutes policies and regulations which they hope will lower the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. When investigating whether you will be able to operate a commercial vehicle its important to understand the FMCSA and the current laws and regulations for operating a truck. Because bus drivers, truck drivers, and other professionals with a commercial driver's license (CDL) are held to a higher standard than non-commercial drivers, the rules that apply to a standard license will be different than those which apply to a commercial drivers license CDL.Rules which apply to commercial drivers license
Due to the increased risk of operating a commercial vehicle, commercial drivers have increased requirements which do not apply to other drivers. Specifically, commercial drivers:- Must not operate a commercial vehicle within four hours of using alcohol
- Must submit to random alcohol testing (i.e. after an accident or if there is reasonable suspicion)
- Must not operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04 or higher (as opposed to 0.08% for other drivers)
Commercial drivers will also receive:
- Harsher penalties for refusing to submit to chemical test after DUI arrest
- Longer license suspensions for DUI