If you drive for a living, a DUI arrest doesn’t just threaten your driver’s license—it threatens your entire livelihood. Commercial drivers in Maryland are held to much stricter standards under both state and federal law, and even a first-time DUI offense can lead to disqualification of your commercial driver’s license (CDL).
At Hartman Attorneys at Law, we help CDL holders in Annapolis and throughout Maryland defend their licenses, reputations, and jobs after a DUI charge. Led by former prosecutor Christian Hartman, our firm understands how high the stakes are when your career is on the line—and we take immediate action to protect what you’ve worked hard to build.
DUI Laws Are Stricter for CDL Holders
Most drivers know that the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Maryland is 0.08%. But for commercial drivers, the rules are much tougher.
For CDL Holders:
- The BAC limit is 0.04% if you are operating a commercial vehicle
- Even if you are driving your personal vehicle, a DUI arrest can still impact your CDL
In other words, you don’t need to be over the “normal” legal limit—or even driving your work truck—to suffer serious career consequences.
CDL Disqualification Under Maryland Law
Maryland follows both state regulations and federal CDL rules under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Under these combined laws, a DUI can result in:
First DUI Offense:
- One year CDL disqualification (for any vehicle, not just CMVs)
- Three-year disqualification for driving a commercial vehicle carrying hazardous materials
- Potential license suspension or revocation for your regular driver’s license
- Mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs
- Substantial fines and court costs
- A criminal record that may bar future commercial driving opportunities
Second DUI Offense:
- Lifetime CDL disqualification (may be reduced to 10 years in some cases, but not guaranteed)
It’s important to note: There is no probation before judgment (PBJ) exception when it comes to CDL disqualification. Even if you receive a PBJ on the DUI charge—which in other cases might protect your record—it will not protect your CDL.
What About Refusing a Breath or Blood Test?
Refusing a chemical test in Maryland is treated as a violation of the state’s implied consent law, and it can result in:
- Immediate license suspension
- CDL disqualification, even without a criminal conviction
- Possible MVA administrative penalties independent of the court process
This is why CDL holders must seek legal counsel immediately after any DUI-related stop, before deadlines pass and automatic penalties take effect.
How a DUI Impacts Employment for CDL Drivers
Even a short disqualification can be devastating for someone who drives for a living. Employers are often required to terminate or reassign drivers who are disqualified, and many companies refuse to hire anyone with a DUI or alcohol-related offense on their record.
Additional consequences include:
- Loss of income and insurance benefits
- Damage to your reputation and job history
- Ineligibility for certain types of commercial driving (e.g., hazmat, passenger vehicles)
- Potential loss of union membership or certifications
This isn’t just a traffic violation—it’s a professional emergency.
How Hartman Attorneys at Law Defends CDL Holders in DUI Cases
At Hartman Attorneys at Law, we understand the urgency and complexity of defending commercial drivers. We take swift, strategic action to contest your DUI case on both criminal and administrative fronts.
We can help:
- Challenge the legality of the traffic stop or arrest
- Examine the accuracy of breathalyzer or field sobriety tests
- Represent you at your MVA hearing to fight CDL disqualification
- Pursue reduction of charges (e.g., from DUI to lesser offenses where possible)
- Explore options to preserve or reinstate your CDL
Attorney Christian Hartman’s background as a former prosecutor provides our firm with unique insight into how DUI charges are filed, negotiated, and tried in court. We utilize this knowledge to build aggressive, informed defenses for CDL drivers in Annapolis and beyond.
CDL in Jeopardy After a DUI Arrest? Call Now.
If your job, license, and future are on the line after a DUI arrest in Maryland, don’t wait to get help. Every hour counts.
Contact Hartman Attorneys at Law to schedule a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your rights, and fight to protect your career from the fallout of a single mistake.