A drunk driving conviction can cause all kinds of havoc in your life, both financially and personally. If you happen to hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), however, you're in for a lot more trouble than the average driver

DUI arrests and convictions come with penalties. Commercial drivers may lose their jobs.

Commercial drivers are held to higher standards than other motorists

The majority of the commercial vehicles that most of us encounter on the roadway are tractor-trailers. Individuals who operate these must generally undergo specialized training to secure a commercial driver's license (CDL). Federal law requires these motorists to undergo medical testing, limits their service hours and requires them to perform inspections on their trucks. Most public safety officials hold truckers to a higher standard when operating their tractor-trailers due to this.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces the .04% BAC legal limit imposed on commercial carriers here in Colorado. The federal agency's regulations also prohibit commercial vehicle operators from operating their trucks within four hours of getting behind the wheels of their trucks.

Federal law also authorizes both employers and law enforcement to subject truckers to random drug and alcohol testing and requires them to do so following an accident. Federal regulators view a trucker's noncompliance with such testing the same as a guilty plea.

While DUI arrests generally carry with them license suspension, it may last longer for commercial carriers. Federal regulations also required a CDL license to notify their employer of a conviction within 30 days of its occurrence. These same regulations prohibit employers from allowing employers to work for them for the duration of their license suspension.

What to do if you're facing DUI charges and you have a CDL

Both your freedom and your ability to regain an ability to operate a vehicle are on the line when you're facing drunk driving charges. Your career might be as well. An attorney can go over the many different defense strategies you might be able to employ in your case to minimize the impact it has on your life.