Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious criminal charge for anybody — but if you drive a truck, a bus, a limo or any other commercial vehicle that requires you to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you stand to lose everything you have if you’re convicted.
Colorado’s laws are especially fierce against CDL holders. Even if you are in your own vehicle and not on duty when you are pulled over for a traffic violation and accused of being intoxicated, your license can be revoked for a DUI conviction. If you happen to be behind the wheel of your commercial vehicle when it happens, all it takes is a .04 on a Breathalyzer for you to lose your CDL.
You don’t even have to be in motion in a vehicle for the laws involving CDLs to affect you. Your CDL can be in danger if you are accused of being intoxicated while:
Keep in mind, the law is slanted against you if you should refuse to take the Breathalyzer. Under federal law, anyone holding a CDL who refuses to voluntarily submit to a blood alcohol test on request is essentially pleading guilty to a drunk driving charge.
Defending a CDL holder against a drunk driving charge takes an in-depth understanding of both Colorado’s laws and the regulations imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Our office has been defending the rights of the accused in these situations for over 35 years. For more information, please explore our site further or contact us directly.