10. Commercial Drivers With DUI Suspensions
Recent Law Changes.
The California law recently changed to comply with federal mandates so that commercial drivers now face a mandatory one-year loss of commercial driving privileges upon conviction or administrative suspension for a DUI. Following the one-year loss of privileges, the commercial license may be re-obtained only after successfully re-applying and passing all of the written and drive tests again, and resubmitting all required documentation.
A second such incident or combination of other convictions requires a lifetime loss of commercial privileges. Often you can obtain a restricted license Class C license under the same eligibility guidelines as other Class C drivers, but there is no hardship exception for Class A or B commercial privileges, even in the most compelling situations of personal or economic catastrophe.
The best way to avoid such a suspension is to hire a local DUI attorney to try to beat the DMV, and beat the Sonoma County court case or obtain a reduction of criminal charges in Santa Rosa. Typically you and your DUI lawyer must win in both the Santa Rosa DMV office and the Santa Rosa courthouse to completely protect your commercial driving privileges.