What a DWI Means to a New Hampshire Commercial Truck Driver

A DWI is no laughing matter for anyone. Getting pulled over and placed under arrest for suspicion of DWI can be a very scary event. But if you are a CDL holder this fear will probably be amplified. Although any driver on the road that is faced with DWI charges will have substantial fees and penalties, someone who holds a CDL will be put under more scrutiny.

The state of New Hampshire takes DWI’s by CDL holders seriously. In fact, if a commercial truck driver gets a DWI and they are convicted, a mandatory one year suspension of their CDL will occur. If this wasn’t enough, once a truck driver gets a DWI it can never be taken off their record. This can have a serious effect on ones employment because often trucking companies won’t hire DWI offenders even if the conviction was 10 years ago.

 
There is less tolerance for CDL drivers who are suspected of DWI

While normal drivers will be arrested if they have an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or greater, a CDL holder can go to jail for much less. A commercial truck driver who has an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more is considered too drunk to drive. This lower tolerance level has resulted in many truck drivers being convicted of DWI.

Even if the CDL holder isn’t driving a commercial truck during their traffic stop they still are faced with this harsh law. This means that even while not at work commercial truck drivers have to be very careful how much alcohol they drink.

This lower level means that truck drivers have to be particularly careful when getting behind the wheel even after just one drink. Many CDL holders have even lost their livelihood by having just one DWI.

A second offense means a lifetime ban

Commercial truck drivers who get convicted of a second DWI offense will have their CDL permanently stripped from them. Without a CDL many second time offenders will never be able to step foot in a commercial truck again thus ending their carrier.

This can have life changing impacts on the lives of second time offenders causing them financial hardship. In fact many end up losing their homes and personal vehicles due to the loss of employment.

Get help fast if you are faced with DWI

The most important thing you can do after you have been arrested for DWI in the state of New Hampshire is to seek professional legal advice. Hire a good local DUI lawyer that specializes in DWI related cases for CDL drivers because you are going to need all the help you can get with your DWI case.

By Kevin Tighe

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