{"id":920,"date":"2025-08-21T12:13:20","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T12:13:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.way.com\/ask\/?p=920"},"modified":"2025-08-27T09:34:31","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T09:34:31","slug":"can-you-get-a-cdl-with-a-dui","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.way.com\/ask\/can-you-get-a-cdl-with-a-dui\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you get a CDL with a DUI?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Each state follows strict rules to issue a CDL for a driver with a DUI, and the waiting periods also differ by state. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) finds DUI a severe offense, and it can impact your CDL eligibility.<\/p>\n<p>These are the ways in which a DUI can affect your CDL application.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Suspension of license:<\/strong> Your regular driver\u2019s license will be suspended due to a DUI conviction. Before applying for a CDL, you must first reinstate your regular driver\u2019s license.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bigger scrutiny:<\/strong> If convicted of a DUI, the DMV and employers will thoroughly examine your driving record.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Surge in insurance rates:<\/strong> The insurance premiums will surge if you have a DUI on your driving record. Employers may hesitate to hire you as a commercial driver then.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Limited employment opportunities:<\/strong> Some of the trucking companies have a zero-tolerance policy for DUIs. So, this limits your employment opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Factors you must consider to get a CDL with a DUI<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Waiting period:<\/strong> Most U.S. states enforce a waiting period after a DUI conviction before applying for a CDL. Ideally, the waiting period can range from 1-3 years, but some states may impose up to 7 years for the initial offense.<\/li>\n<li><strong>DUI convictions: <\/strong>A single DUI can impact your license applications. So, getting convicted of multiple DUIs in a certain timeframe may lead to a permanent disqualification from getting a CDL in many states.<\/li>\n<li><strong>State-specific rules:<\/strong> The state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or a corresponding agency sets the rules for CDL requirements. So, the requirements will differ depending on the state.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Employer requirements:<\/strong> Trucking companies will conduct regular checks even if you obtain a CDL. Many companies have policies that are against hiring drivers with a recent DUI on record.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How to get a CDL with a DUI<\/h2>\n<p>Follow these steps to better your chances of getting a CDL even if you have a DUI conviction.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Contact the state DMV to learn about the exact waiting periods, penalties, and requirements for applying for a CDL with a DUI. You can also get the federal guidelines from the FMCSA website.<\/li>\n<li>Pay all the pending penalties before applying for a CDL. Also, undertake any community service or complete court-directed programs like rehabilitation courses or alcohol education if required.<\/li>\n<li>Most states mandate you to have a clean driving period for a particular period after a DUI conviction. Be sure to avoid any traffic violations during this period.<\/li>\n<li>If required by the state, file an SR-22 form with your insurer if you\u2019re considered a high-risk driver.<\/li>\n<li>Enroll in a CDL training school if you want help to prepare for the written and skill examinations.<\/li>\n<li>Some states may erase your DUI record after a particular period. Consult a legal expert to know whether this applies to you or not.<\/li>\n<li>While applying for jobs, be honest with the employers regarding your DUI conviction. Some companies won\u2019t consider it a serious issue if the offense happened years back or if you underwent rehabilitation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Each state follows strict rules to issue a CDL for a driver with a DUI, and the waiting periods also differ by state. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) finds DUI a severe offense, and it can impact your CDL eligibility. These are the ways in which a DUI can affect your CDL application.&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.way.com\/ask\/can-you-get-a-cdl-with-a-dui\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Can you get a CDL with a DUI?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-auto-insurance","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Can you get a CDL with a DUI?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Applying for a CDL? But have you got a DUI on your driving record? So, can you get a CDL with a DUI? 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