Commercial drivers are held to much higher road safety standards than non-commercial drivers. Strict regulations mean any operating under the influence (OUI) charges against a CDL holder need to be defended aggressively with comprehensive legal strategies.
We provide the following overview and information for CDL drivers facing OUI (also called DUI) in Maine and invite you to contact us as soon as possible to explore your legal options in detail.
If you have a CDL and are charged with an OUI in a non-commercial vehicle, your CDL is subject to severe penalties.
Under Maine law, in conjunction with federal regulations, your CDL will be revoked for one year on a first offense, court conviction and a lifetime revocation for a second offense.
The one year and lifetime revocations will be imposed if you are convicted of OUI or if you simply lose your administrative suspension hearing. These potential penalties are in addition to the penalties that will be levied against your non-commercial license.
A revocation, unlike a suspension, means that your CDL privileges will not be reinstated after the prescribed time period has expired. A revocation will require you to start the application process for a CDL from the beginning . In the event that you obtain a CDL following a revocation, your prior record will likely make your uninsurable and, thus, unemployable.
If you are a CDL holder, make sure that you hire an OUI Defense Lawyer near you who is aware of your entire situation and is best able to protect your livelihood.
Call (207-878-4000) or email (mnichols@nicholstucker.com or btucker@nicholstucker.com) Nichols & Tucker. Matthew Nichols and Benjamin Tucker will provide you with the advice and defense that you deserve.
