Can you become a trucker with a dui

A CDL may be revoked if the driver does not follow traffic laws. CDL restrictions are placed if the driver does not pass a certain part of the test, if the test was performed in a certain type of vehicle tested, or if there is a medical variance. Toggle navigation Call Now! Companies may hire you if you have tickets or violations, but they do have strict rules regarding DUI violations. They become quite strict while assessing candidates that have DUI.

This means you have to wait at least a year before you get back on the wheel. Usually, trucking companies take longer than the mandatory time in hiring a driver with DUI. You may have a good chance of getting hired if your DUI occurred more than five years ago. More than one DUI permanently revokes your license for a lifetime so be sure to take special care in maintaining your time record. These statistics are critical reasons why federal and state agencies are hyper-vigilant about truck drivers and alcohol.

These are alcohol awareness issues truckers should know. Certainly, drivers operating wheelers operating under the influence of alcohol pose an imminent danger to themselves and others. But authorities have zero tolerance for those driving any commercial motor vehicle. The important takeaway from the perspective of federal and state authorities is that DUI penalties can be broadly applied to a wide range of driver-for-hire and non-profit scenarios.

Professional CDL holders are just the highest-profile example. Professional drivers are also subject to higher standards regarding DUI enforcement methods and outcomes.

For example, CDL holders are required by law to submit to a roadside impairment examination if a law enforcement official has a reasonable suspicion they are impaired. Refusing to take a roadside examination or breathalyzer generally results in penalties being imposed as if the driver failed. A trucker may also be subject to random drug and alcohol testing if they have a prior incident or alcohol use is suspected. Should a driver fail a breathalyzer or refuse testing, license suspensions generally exceed those by passenger vehicle operators.

Refusal is considered the same as being found guilty. Beyond a DUI conviction while operating a commercial vehicle, CDL holders are required to notify their employers of any non-professional driving offenses.

If you have blemishes on your driving record, such as a DUI, they will not prevent you from getting a CDL, but they may prevent you from getting the job you set out for. If you have a DUI in your past, having attended a truck driving school will be an asset on your application when you apply for a truck driving job. Be truthful when you apply to a school, because they will find out about your DUI when they request your driving record.

Make sure you list everything. Even though, these exceptions can sometimes be allowed for drivers in a nonprofessional capacity, the punishment of a driver with a CDL license is usually stricter.