DUIs for Commercial Drivers

Commercial drivers often face different standards and charges for DUIs than other drivers. Knowing the special requirements you face can prevent you from unknowingly breaking the law and being charged unexpectedly with a DUI.

Rhode Island DUI lawyer James Powderly provides legal assistance to commercial drivers facing DUI charges. Contact our offices today at 401-662-9006.

Knowing the DUI Law

In the state of Rhode Island, commercial drivers are held to a lower blood alcohol content (BAC) limit than noncommercial drivers. For most drivers, it is illegal to drive with a BAC limit of .08 or higher. For Rhode Island commercial vehicle drivers, however, a BAC limit of .04 or higher is illegal. A commercial driver is defined as anyone who is required to carry a commercial driver’s license. School bus drivers are considered commercial drivers in Rhode Island.

DUI Penalties for Commercial Drivers

Commercial drivers charged with a DUI face penalties that affect them not only personally but also professionally. If you have received a DUI you may be facing one or more of these charges:

• Commercial drivers can be charged with the same penalties applied to all other drivers under Rhode Island’s DUI laws.
• First offense: for the first DUI received, the driver’s commercial driver’s license will be suspended for one year or longer.
• Second offense: a second DUI leads to a commercial driver losing his or her commercial driver’s license for life. Under certain circumstances this sentence may be reduced to a 10-year suspension.

Contact Us

If you have been charged with a DUI as a commercial driver, you should consult with a DUI defense attorney as quickly as possible. Receiving legal guidance early on could help save your career. Contact Rhode Island DUI defense attorney James Powderly at 401-662-9006.