If you drive a commercial vehicle, it is important to understand Texas’ DWI laws. Read on to learn more about DWI penalties for drivers with commercial licenses.
What Constitutes a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) DWI in Texas?
The first thing you should understand is that the bar for DWIs is higher for commercial drivers in Texas than for standard automobile drivers. For example, you can receive a DWI for operating a commercial vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of just .04%. Comparatively, if you have a standard driver’s license, you may be charged with a DWI if you have a BAC of .08%. That being said, if you are charged with a first-offense DWI with a CDL in Texas, you are looking at a Class B Misdemeanor that comes with very serious penalties.
What are the Penalties of a First Offense CDL DWI in Texas?
If you are charged with a CDL DWI for the first time, you may face the following penalties:
- A potential one-year suspension of your commercial driver’s license
- Up to 180 days in jail
- A $2,000 fine
You should also understand that if you were arrested for a DWI while operating a commercial vehicle that was transporting hazardous materials, you will most likely lose your commercial driver’s license for an even longer period of time. In most cases, you will lose your commercial license for 3 years.
What Happens if I Am Charged with a Second CDL DWI?
If you are charged with a second CDL DWI offense in Texas, you will most likely lose your commercial driver’s license forever. If you are someone who drives for a living, this can seriously impact your livelihood. If you are facing charges for a second CDL DWI, it is important that you reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
If you are facing charges for a CDL DWI, our firm will fight for you. Reach out today to speak with a skilled criminal defense attorney. We will explore all possible avenues of defense and advocate for you every step of the way.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED HOUSTON FIRM
We understand how challenging various legal matters can be, which is why we have dedicated ourselves to helping clients in Texas through a wide array of legal matters, including personal injury law and criminal defense. If you have sustained a serious injury or are facing criminal charges, contact the Gonzalez Law Group today to learn more about how we can help you through every step of the legal process ahead.
