Key Takeaways:
- A DUI conviction in Georgia can automatically suspend your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
- Even a first-time offense can result in a 1-year CDL disqualification.
- If you were driving your personal vehicle, it can still affect your commercial driving job.
- A second DUI means a lifetime CDL ban in most cases.
- Hines Law defends CDL holders facing DUI charges and fights to protect their license and livelihood.
Can You Lose Your CDL After a DUI in Georgia?
Yes. If you hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and get a DUI, the consequences are immediate and serious—even if it’s your first offense.
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-5-151) and federal CDL regulations:
- A first DUI = 1-year CDL disqualification
- A second DUI = lifetime disqualification
This is true whether the DUI happened in a commercial vehicle or your personal car.
CDL drivers are held to a higher standard, and the law comes down hard—because the state views commercial drivers as being in control of large, potentially dangerous vehicles.
CDL DUI Penalties – First vs. Second Offense
Here’s a quick breakdown of the impact:
DUI Offense: First DUI
CDL Penalty: 1-Year CDL Suspension
Vehicle Type: Personal or Commercial Vehicle
Notes: Immediate disqualification
DUI Offense: First DUI w/ Hazardous Materials
CDL Penalty: 3-Year CDL Suspension
Vehicle Type: Commercial Vehicle
Notes: More severe due to cargo
DUI Offense: Second DUI (any vehicle)
CDL Penalty: Lifetime CDL Ban
Vehicle Type: Personal or Commercial Vehicle
Notes: Usually no reinstatement
DUI Offense: DUI Refusal (Implied Consent)
CDL Penalty: CDL Suspension
Vehicle Type: Any
Notes: Refusing the breathalyzer counts as a violation
So even if you refused the test, or were driving off the clock, your CDL is still at risk.
What If the DUI Happened in a Personal Vehicle?
It doesn’t matter if you were driving a company truck or your own car—Georgia law still applies CDL penalties.
Your personal DUI charge can disqualify you from:
- Operating commercial vehicles
- Working for trucking companies
- Renewing or reinstating your CDL
- Being insured under company policies
This often leads to job loss, missed opportunities, and a permanent stain on your driving record.
How a DUI Affects Your Commercial Driving Job
For CDL holders, a DUI isn’t just a court matter—it’s a career-ending risk.
You may face:
- Immediate job termination (most carriers have zero-DUI policies)
- Loss of DOT medical certification
- Higher insurance premiums or uninsurability
- Difficulty finding future employment in the industry
Many companies require clean records for 3–10 years—meaning a single mistake today could sideline you for the rest of your career.
Can You Get a Permit to Keep Driving Commercially?
Unfortunately, no.
Georgia does not allow hardship or work permits for CDL drivers who are suspended due to DUI. If your CDL is disqualified:
- You cannot drive any commercial vehicle.
- You cannot “downgrade” to a regular license to avoid consequences.
- There is no early reinstatement
The only way to protect your CDL is to fight the charge and avoid conviction.
Why It’s Critical to Fight the DUI Charge
Once convicted, a DUI is difficult to undo. But if you act fast and hire a skilled defense attorney, you may be able to:
- Get the charge reduced or dismissed
- Keep your CDL from being suspended
- Avoid jail, fines, and long-term damage to your record
Hines Law has helped hundreds of drivers across Georgia—including Latino and Spanish-speaking clients—navigate the court system and protect their driving careers.
How Hines Law Protects CDL Drivers in Georgia
Here’s what we do for our commercial driver clients:
- Challenge field sobriety test results
- Fight to suppress illegally obtained evidence
- Negotiate to reduce charges to Reckless Driving or non-alcohol violations
- Represent you at DPS license suspension hearings
- Provide full legal defense in traffic and DUI courts
Whether you’re a long-haul trucker, delivery driver, or local operator—we understand what’s at stake and fight to protect your livelihood.
We speak Spanish. We defend you. We fight for your future.
FAQ – DUI and CDL in Georgia
If I was off duty, can they still take my CDL?
Yes. Georgia law doesn’t care whether you were working at the time—a DUI conviction affects your license no matter what vehicle you were driving.
Can I get a work permit to drive while my CDL is suspended?
No. CDL suspensions do not allow for any driving privileges, even for work.
What happens if I refuse the breathalyzer?
Refusing can result in an automatic suspension and count the same as a DUI under CDL rules.
Can I ever get my CDL back after a second DUI?
Usually no. A second DUI offense leads to a lifetime disqualification from holding a CDL in Georgia.
I’m undocumented but have a CDL—can you help me?
Yes. At Hines Law, we serve everyone, regardless of status. We defend your record and your right to work.
Don’t Let a DUI End Your Career—Call Hines Law Today
If you’re a CDL holder facing DUI charges, the clock is ticking.
- Call or message us 24/7—we’ll review your case for free
- We handle court appearances, license hearings, and defense strategy
- Protect your CDL. Protect your job. Protect your future.
Yo Soy Tu Abogado. Let’s fight this together.