A conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) can restrict your ability to operate a vehicle while on the job. In many cases, DUI convictions in California lead to license restrictions or even a license suspension. Even after your driving privileges are restored, a company may not want you to drive while working.
Find out how long you have to wait after a DUI conviction to drive for a company with this article. The length of time will depend on several factors, including if you have previously been convicted of a DUI. In addition, consider the impact of a DUI on your commercial driver’s license (CDL). Finally, if you need help handling a DUI accusation, you can get professional legal assistance from a DUI accident lawyer in Burbank, CA.
The Basics: DUI and its Impact
Driving under the influence (DUI) involves drinking a certain amount of alcohol and then driving. Drinking alcohol can impair your ability to think clearly and alter your sensations and perceptions of the world around you.
As a result, drinking alcohol can increase your chances of being involved in a serious accident. Sometimes, alcohol-related accidents can result in serious injury and even death. Other times, your vehicle or someone else’s may receive extensive damage.
After a DUI, you may experience several penalties, including potential license suspensions and the requirement to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.
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General Driving Suspensions After a DUI in California
In California, if you submit to a blood or breath alcohol test, you may initially face revocation of certain driving privileges by the DMV. If your blood alcohol level was above a certain amount, your driving privileges might be revoked. If you are over 21, you may face a 4-month driving suspension if it was your first offense.
You might face a one-year suspension if it is your second offense or more in the last ten years.
If you refuse to submit to a chemical test, things can get even worse. Even if it is your first offense, you could still face a one-year suspension if you refuse to get a chemical test to prove your blood alcohol level. In addition, further punishment can result from the specific sentence laid out by the court.
Ignition Interlock Devices After a DUI
Non-commercial drivers convicted of a DUI in California will likely be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on their vehicles. An IID is a small device you wire into your vehicle’s ignition. The IID will require you to give a breath sample when you enter the car. The IID can detect any alcohol on your breath, and the vehicle will not start if there is.
The California court system may order a driver to install an IID for:
- Six months for a first DUI
- One year for a second DUI
- Two years for a third DUI
- Three years for subsequent DUIs
Technically, a driver can operate a motor vehicle as usual after a DUI if it has an IID installed. Drivers can even request an exemption from their employer to operate a company vehicle without an IID. However, many employers in California do not want to let drivers operate company vehicles after a DUI conviction.
Therefore, you may be able to drive for a company after a DUI quickly if you have an IID installed or if you get an exemption. However, you should also be prepared for the company to restrict your driving privileges.
CDL Suspensions After a DUI in California
Commercial drivers face harsher license restrictions after a DUI conviction in California. Both state and federal laws regulate your CDL. Under these laws, your commercial driving privileges will be:
- Suspended for a year for a first DUI
- Revoked for life for a second DUI
During a CDL suspension, you will not be able to drive a commercial vehicle for a company at all. Restrictions on your ability to drive can impact your livelihood, especially if you are a commercial driver. A criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles can help you take on commercial DUI charges.
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DUI Company Policies Vary
Hiring or working with a driver who had a DUI can make a company look bad. As a result, companies may not trust a driver with a previous DUI conviction, or they may be concerned about how it would impact their reputation.
Technically, you can resume operating a commercial vehicle after your CDL suspension expires in California. However, every DUI company policy is different, and many trucking companies will not hire drivers with a recent DUI on their records.
Around the nation, trucking companies often require drivers to wait five to seven years after a DUI before initiating hiring procedures. Some companies will allow you to drive for them if three years have passed since a DUI conviction. Other companies only consider drivers who have no DUIs within ten years.
Finally, some commercial trucking companies will not hire a driver with a DUI at all.
How a DUI Attorney Can Help You with Your Charges
As you can see, a conviction for a DUI can seriously impact your career in the state of California. However, you can improve your chances of successfully handling a DUI accusation by getting help quickly from a DUI accident lawyer in Los Angeles, CA.
Our DUI attorneys can begin investigating your case right now. A lawyer can speak to witnesses, review evidence, and work to construct your defense. Your legal representative may be able to demonstrate that:
- You were not operating a vehicle with an elevated blood alcohol content (BAC)
- You were not impaired while driving your vehicle
- You were stopped without due cause by a law enforcement officer
In some cases, a criminal DUI defense lawyer can get your charges dismissed or reduced to a level that will not impact your ability to drive for a company. We can also support you in court after you are charged with a DUI. Contact us now to learn more.
Your lawyer represents you in any proceedings and works to get you a fair sentence. In addition, your lawyer will review what happened in your unique circumstances and give you legal advice about the best options in your DUI case. A skilled attorney will also know the specific DUI laws that apply to your case.
Contact a DUI Lawyer for Help with Your Driving Privileges Today
You may have to wait years to drive for a company after a DUI conviction in California. However, handling DUI charges before a conviction can help protect your driving privileges. Get legal assistance with a DUI accusation by contacting Simmrin Law Group.
We offer all of our potential clients a free consultation. This consultation allows us to review what happened in your DUI case and to go over how we can best help you. In addition, it can help you decide if our firm is a good fit for what you need. Just fill out our online contact form or call us to secure legal assistance.
Our DUI lawyers in Los Angeles are ready to begin working on your defense. Learn more during a FREE consultation today.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form