How a DUI Can Cost You Your CDL in Illinois

For commercial drivers in Illinois, a DUI arrest is more than just a legal issue—it can be a career-ending event. Unlike regular driver’s licenses, CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) holders are held to stricter legal standards under Illinois law. Even a first-time DUI can result in a one-year disqualification, and a second offense can lead to a lifetime revocation.

If you are a CDL holder charged with a DUI, you need to act fast. The penalties for a DUI conviction extend beyond losing your commercial driving privileges. A DUI on your record can damage your employment opportunities, increase insurance costs, and make it difficult to find future driving jobs. At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, we aggressively defend CDL drivers facing DUI charges and fight to protect their license, livelihood, and future.

Illinois CDL DUI Laws and Legal Limits

CDL drivers must follow Illinois’ standard DUI laws under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, but they also face stricter BAC (blood alcohol concentration) limits and harsher penalties than regular drivers.

For non-commercial drivers, the legal limit for alcohol is 0.08% BAC. However, CDL holders are subject to a much lower limit of 0.04% BAC when operating a commercial vehicle.

If a CDL holder is arrested for DUI in a personal vehicle, the 0.08% BAC limit applies, but they will still face CDL disqualification if convicted. This means that even an off-duty DUI can cost a commercial driver their license and job.

CDL drivers can also face DUI charges for drug impairment if law enforcement suspects they are under the influence of illegal drugs, prescription medications, or cannabis, even if legally prescribed. Under Illinois’ zero-tolerance CDL drug laws, any trace of a controlled substance in a CDL holder’s system can lead to immediate disqualification.

What Happens After a CDL DUI Arrest in Illinois?

A DUI arrest for a CDL driver triggers two separate legal proceedings:

Criminal Court Case – If convicted, you face jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record. A conviction will also lead to CDL disqualification.
Administrative License Suspension (Statutory Summary Suspension) – The Illinois Secretary of State will automatically suspend your CDL if you fail or refuse a breathalyzer or chemical test.

After an arrest, CDL holders must act quickly. The first step is to request a hearing to challenge the license suspension. You only have 90 days from the date of the DUI arrest to fight the automatic statutory summary suspension. If you do not request a hearing, your CDL suspension will take effect automatically.

CDL DUI Penalties in Illinois

First-Time DUI Conviction (While Operating a Commercial Vehicle)

A first CDL DUI conviction results in an automatic one-year CDL disqualification, even if there was no accident or injuries. This means that a first offense can put a CDL holder out of work for an entire year, making it nearly impossible to support themselves or their family.

If the CDL holder was transporting hazardous materials at the time of the DUI, the disqualification period increases to three years.

A first-time DUI is also punishable by:

Up to one year in jail (Class A misdemeanor)
Fines up to $2,500
Mandatory alcohol or drug treatment programs

Second CDL DUI Conviction (Lifetime Disqualification)

A second DUI conviction—even if it occurs years after the first offense—results in a lifetime CDL disqualification. This applies whether the DUI occurred in a commercial or personal vehicle.

While some CDL holders may apply for reinstatement after 10 years, reinstatement is not guaranteed. Many trucking companies refuse to hire drivers with even one DUI conviction, making it difficult to return to a commercial driving career.

Refusing a Breathalyzer Test as a CDL Holder

Under Illinois’ implied consent law, CDL holders must submit to breathalyzer or chemical testing if suspected of DUI. Refusing a breathalyzer test triggers an automatic CDL disqualification:

First refusal: One-year CDL disqualification
Second refusal: Lifetime CDL revocation

Refusing a breath test may prevent the prosecution from using BAC results as evidence, but the CDL disqualification still applies. This is why CDL drivers must carefully consider their options before refusing a breathalyzer.

Defending a CDL DUI Charge in Illinois

Fighting a CDL DUI charge requires an aggressive defense strategy. Prosecutors do not take DUI cases lightly, especially when they involve commercial drivers. However, a DUI arrest does not automatically mean a conviction.

A strong defense may include:

Challenging the Traffic Stop – If law enforcement lacked probable cause for the stop, the evidence may be suppressed.
Disputing Field Sobriety Tests – These tests are not scientifically reliable and can be challenged in court.
Questioning BAC Test Accuracy – Breathalyzer machines must be properly calibrated, and blood samples must be handled correctly. Errors in testing procedures can result in BAC evidence being dismissed.
Proving Rising BAC – Alcohol takes time to absorb into the bloodstream. If a CDL driver had a drink shortly before driving, their BAC could rise above 0.04% after being stopped, meaning they were legally under the limit while driving.
Negotiating for Reduced Charges – In some cases, it may be possible to plea bargain for a lesser offense, avoiding CDL disqualification.

Each DUI case is unique, and the right defense depends on the facts. This is why CDL holders must consult an experienced DUI defense attorney immediately.

Why CDL Holders Must Fight a DUI Charge

For most drivers, a DUI conviction means temporary license suspension and fines. But for CDL holders, it can mean losing their career forever. Trucking companies and commercial driving employers will not hire a driver with a DUI on their record, making it nearly impossible to find another job in the industry.

A DUI conviction can also:

Increase insurance rates, making it difficult to find affordable coverage for personal or commercial driving.
Result in job loss, as many trucking companies immediately fire CDL holders charged with DUI.
Affect background checks, making it harder to obtain professional licenses or employment in other fields.

With so much at stake, CDL holders cannot afford to plead guilty without a fight. Even a first-time DUI arrest should be aggressively challenged to avoid a permanent mark on your record.

Why Call The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg for CDL DUI Defense

A DUI arrest doesn’t have to end your CDL career—but you must act quickly. At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, we aggressively defend CDL drivers facing DUI charges and work to protect their driving privileges.

We have successfully helped clients:

Get DUI charges reduced or dismissed
Fight license suspensions and CDL disqualifications
Challenge faulty BAC tests and illegal traffic stops

If you are a CDL holder charged with DUI in Illinois, don’t wait. Your career and livelihood are on the line.

Call The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg for DUI Hit-And-Run Defense Today

If you are facing a DUI charge in DuPage County, you need an aggressive legal defense. Illinois prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively, and the penalties for a conviction can be devastating. An aggressive defense can mean the difference between a conviction and a dismissal or reduced charge.

The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg provides aggressive legal representation for those accused of a driving while intoxicated manslaughter in DuPage County and throughout Illinois. We offer free consultations 24/7 to discuss your case and legal options. Contact us today at (312) 560-7100 or toll-free at (800) 803-1442 for dedicated defense in DuPage County, Cook County, Will County, Lake County, and the greater Chicago area.