For those that drive for a living, their commercial driver’s license is their financial lifeline. That license is how they make their living, but it is also tagged to one’s own personal drivers’ license. As such, driving infractions that occur on one’s time off can still affect their commercial driver’s license.
Drunk driving
Anyone that frequents our website knows about the consequences of drunk driving on one’s life. It can result in incarceration, fines and the loss of driving privileges. But, these penalties also affect one’s commercial driver’s license.
Administrative penalties
If one is simply charged with driving while under the influence, an OWI, then the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle can suspend or even revoke a commercial driver’s license. This is done after the court sends the BMV a notice of the OWI charge. If this happens, then one will lose their driving privileges for up to 180 days, or maybe, even longer, if one has prior convictions. This does not just affect one’s personal driving privileges, it also stops one driving commercially.
“Drunk” commercial drivers
Another thing to be weary of as a commercial driver is that the normal 0.08% Blood Alcohol Concentration maximum is cut in half for those operating commercial vehicles. And, if one is charged (even before a conviction), they could lose their CDL for, at minimum, one year. Though, if one was driving hazardous materials, that minimum CDL revocation jumps to three years. CDL holders also do not qualify to ask for a probationary license to work. This means that, even for just a charge (not conviction), a commercial driver’s Indianapolis, Indiana, career could immediately end.
What if one just does not consent to a BAC test?
Consent does not matter because Indiana is an implied consent state. This means that, if one refuses to be tested, one’s driving privileges can be immediately revoked for one year. And, if one has been previously convicted, that minimum revocation time increases.