How Long Do You Lose Your CDL for a DUI?

Ohio commercial driver license suspensions related to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol come in three forms. None are good news for the accused or convicted commercial driver because state statutes prohibit any driving of commercial vehicles during the entire length of a suspension.

The following table, compiled by an Ohio commercial driver DUI attorney at The Maher Law Firm, directly answers the question of how long varying types of CDL suspensions last. Working with a defense attorney to block the imposition of the listed penalties is recommended for anyone who makes a living driving a truck, bus, taxi, or piece of heavy equipment.

While reviewing the table, keep in mind that a DUI offense in your own car can cost you your CDL and that limited driving privileges would only let you drive your own car to and from a few specific places like work or school. Also, Ohio does not automatically reinstate CDLs lost to drunk or drugged driving offenses. You may have to go so far as retaking written and road tests to get your CDL back after a penalty expires.

Refusing Breath, Blood, and Urine Tests After Getting Arrested for Suspicion of DUI
	No Driving Privileges	Suspension
1st Offense	30 days	1 year
2nd Offense	90 days	2 years
3rd Offense	1 year	3 years
4th Offense or More	3 years	5 years
Testing Positive for Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) or Drug Use
	No Driving Privileges	Suspension
1st Offense	15 days	90 days
2nd Offense	45 days	1 year
3rd Offense	180 days	2 years
4th Offense or More	3 years	3 years
Sentence for a DUI Conviction
	No Driving Privileges	Suspension
1st Offense	15 days	1-3 years
2nd Offense	45 days	1-7 years
3rd Offense	180 days	2-12 years
4th Offense or More	3 years	3 years to life

A few more notes:

• Technically, drunk or drugged driving in Ohio is called operating a vehicle while intoxicated, or OVI. The offense is still DUI, but police, prosecutors, and judges will use the statutory language.
• All drivers have the right to refuse chemical tests for alcohol and drug use, but doing so will result in an administrative license suspension (ALS). An ALS for a commercial driver’s license must be appealed within 30 days or it will last the full term.
• The drugs that Ohio tests OVI suspects for are amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, LSD, marijuana, methamphetamine, PCP, and salvia. Prescription painkillers classified as opioids and ADHD medications can also register on lab tests for OVI.
• Commercial drivers are limited to a BAC of less than .04 while working.

A final warning to CDL holders is that more than 30 criminal, civil, and regulatory offenses in Ohio can be punished with a license suspension. The list rages from OVI to failing to pay child support and skipping mandatory vehicle or cargo inspections. An experienced Columbus Ohio commercial driver’s license suspension attorney will be able to help you with those cases.

You can request a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with an Ohio commercial driver DUI attorney by calling The Maher Law firm at (614) 205-2208 or connecting with us online.