You know that losing your driver’s license is very likely if you get a DUI. The police generally take your license away and that suspension can stay in place for 12 months. You do have some options to appeal it after four months, or 120 days. But this is not always guaranteed and you may have to serve the entire 12 months.
But what about any other type of license that you hold? Losing your driver’s license is bad enough, but are you going to lose a professional license as well?
The risk to your CDL
First of all, let’s start by looking at CDL holders. These individuals have professional driver’s licenses, and they need them to be able to work in their chosen field.
As you’ve probably guessed, there’s a very good chance that you will lose your CDL if you get pulled over for drunk driving. It is worth noting that professional drivers are often held to a higher standard and have lower blood alcohol concentration limits. As a professional driver, you’ll be subject to the limits in whatever state you’re in at the time of the arrest.
It’s also important to remember that a DUI handed out when you’re in your personal car may still affect your commercial driver’s license. You likely have to report all traffic infractions and arrests, and so you could lose your professional license even if you weren’t driving a truck at the time.
What about another license?
Perhaps you work in a field like nursing, where you need to have an official nursing license to stay employed, or maybe you have a medical license. Is this going to be at risk if you get arrested for drunk driving?
It is possible, especially if your place of employment has a code of conduct policy that you have to follow. It’s also possible if it appears that you’re drinking has impacted your ability to use this license safely. For instance, a nurse who gets pulled over for drunk driving on the way into work may be much more likely to lose their nursing license than someone who gets pulled over while they’re on vacation.
If you are facing DUI charges and you’re worried about your future, make sure you know exactly what legal options you have.
