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CDL Consequences for an Illinois DUI
Commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders are held to a higher standard than non-commercial drivers. This includes strict testing requirements, lower thresholds for alcohol-related offenses, and more severe consequences for violations. An arrest or conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) can impact a commercial driver’s license and professional driving privileges in significant ways.
Wirth Law has helped many commercial drivers navigate the consequences of a DUI in Illinois. Our office regularly helps CDL holders apply for reinstatement after a DUI conviction through the formal hearing process with the Illinois Secretary of State. In the following sections, we discuss the impact that a DUI can have on CDL licensing.
CDL Testing Requirements and Implied Consent
Commercial drivers are required to undergo a series of tests as part of the CDL licensing process, including written knowledge exams, skills assessments, and medical evaluations. Once licensed, CDL holders must comply with both federal and state safety regulations, including drug and alcohol testing.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates drug and alcohol testing in the following situations:
- Pre-employment screening
- Random testing
- Post-accident testing
- Reasonable suspicion
- Return-to-duty testing
- Follow-up testing
In addition, Illinois law includes an implied consent provision. This means that a driver operating a vehicle on public roads is considered to have given consent to chemical testing if suspected of DUI. Refusal to take a test may result in administrative penalties that affect both standard and commercial driving privileges.
DUI Arrests and Commercial Driver’s Licenses
A DUI arrest in Illinois can affect a CDL even if it occurs while driving a non-commercial vehicle. The distinction between personal and commercial vehicles does not change how general DUI-related consequences are applied to CDL holders in most circumstances.
For CDL holders, the arrest can trigger both administrative and criminal processes. One of the immediate outcomes is the statutory summary suspension, an administrative license suspension imposed by the Secretary of State based on a failed or refused chemical test.
Summary Suspension for CDL Holders
Following a DUI arrest in Illinois, a statutory summary suspension is imposed if the driver either has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, or 0.04 or higher while operating a commercial vehicle, or refuses to submit to chemical testing. For a first-time failed test, the suspension of standard driving privileges lasts six months. If the driver refuses testing, the suspension extends to twelve months.
For commercial drivers, the consequences are more significant. In addition to the summary suspension, the Secretary of State will impose a one-year disqualification of CDL privileges for a first offense, even if the DUI arrest occurred while operating a non-commercial vehicle. During this disqualification period, CDL holders are not eligible for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit or any other form of restricted driving relief that would permit operation of a commercial vehicle. This restriction may directly affect employment, particularly for individuals whose job duties require a valid CDL.
License Revocation After a DUI Conviction
If a DUI arrest results in a conviction, the consequences include the revocation of driving privileges. Revocation differs from suspension in that it is an indefinite loss of driving privileges, unlike a suspension with a specific end date. For CDL holders, a first-time DUI conviction can result in the following:
- Revocation of standard driving privileges for a minimum of one year for a first offense
- Disqualification of CDL privileges for a minimum of one year for a first conviction
While revoked, an individual cannot request a permit to drive a commercial vehicle. However, a revoked driver may be eligible to request a restricted driving permit to drive their personal vehicle. Once a person reaches their “reinstatement eligibility date,” they can apply for driving relief at a Secretary of State hearing. If standard driving privileges are reinstated, a first-time DUI offender may typically reapply for CDL privileges.
CDL Disqualification and Major Traffic Violations
The Illinois Secretary of State follows federal guidelines in identifying “major disqualifying offenses.” A conviction for one of these offenses will result in the disqualification of CDL privileges for at least one year. Importantly, these rules apply whether the offense occurred in a commercial vehicle or a non-commercial vehicle, unless otherwise specified. Major disqualifying offenses include the following conduct:
- Operating any vehicle with a BAC of .08 or higher
- Operating a commercial motor vehicle with a BAC of .04 or higher
- DUI
- Refusing to take a chemical test
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Committing a felony involving the use of a motor vehicle
- Negligent operation of a commercial vehicle that results in a fatality
- Operating a commercial vehicle while the driver’s license is revoked, suspended, disqualified, or canceled as a result of prior commercial vehicle violations
A second conviction for any major disqualifying offense will result in lifetime disqualification from holding a CDL. A lifetime disqualification is noted on an Illinois driving abstract once entered.
Additional Considerations for CDL Holders
In addition to administrative and criminal penalties, CDL holders may face other consequences following a DUI arrest or conviction. These may include:
- Employment-related decisions, such as reassignment or temporary leave from driving duties
- Insurance-related impacts, including changes to coverage or premiums
- Future employment challenges, depending on the policies of prospective employers and their insurance carriers
The impact of a DUI on a CDL is not limited to the legal outcome of a case. CDL holders often benefit from early legal guidance to understand the full scope of potential consequences and to evaluate options for preserving or restoring driving privileges.
Wirth Law: Free Consultations
A DUI can have serious consequences for CDL privileges and long-term driving eligibility. Wirth Law represents commercial drivers across Illinois in both DUI defense and driver’s license reinstatement proceedings before the Secretary of State. The firm provides personalized, strategic guidance based on each driver’s unique situation, whether the goal is restoring commercial driving privileges or reinstating a standard license.
Our firm is recognized for its professionalism, client-focused service, and strong track record in DUI and license reinstatement cases. Jennifer Wirth, managing attorney, brings a comprehensive understanding of Illinois Secretary of State hearing procedures and a client-oriented approach to legal advocacy. Her commitment to excellence has earned her numerous awards, including perfect ratings on Avvo and Justia, the Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Award, and recognition by Expertise.com as one of Chicago’s top DUI defense attorneys.
With offices in Chicago and Naperville, our firm serves clients throughout the greater Chicagoland area, including Cook, Will, Kane, Kendall, Lake, Kankakee, DeKalb, and Winnebago Counties. Wirth Law also represents out-of-state residents who have an Illinois hold on their driving privileges, helping drivers across the country clear their Illinois record and restore their ability to drive legally.
Wirth Law offers free consultations, affordable flat fees, and payment plan options through Affirm to make legal services more accessible. To schedule a consultation, contact Wirth Law at (312) 761-8290 or email jennifer@wirthlaw.org.