What Happens If Your CDL Is Suspended Due to a Maryland DUI/DWI?

If you drive for a living, a DUI or DWI charge in Maryland carries extra weight beyond ordinary legal trouble. Commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders are held to higher safety standards than most other drivers, and even one incident involving alcohol or drugs can have far-reaching consequences. Unlike minor traffic tickets, a DUI or DWI could put your career, reputation, and financial future on the line.

Impaired driving laws for CDL holders in Maryland

If you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Maryland, the rules when it comes to impaired driving are stricter than they are for other drivers. For CDL holders, driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or higher is enough to trigger a disqualification of your commercial driver’s license, which is only half the 0.08% standard for regular drivers.

This means that even a small amount of alcohol could put you over the legal limit while operating a commercial vehicle. Additionally, if you’re operating under the influence of drugs, you can also be charged with and convicted of a DUI or DWI.

CDL suspension penalties for Maryland DUI/DWI

Maryland law comes down especially hard on commercial drivers caught driving under the influence, with penalties that can quickly end a CDL-holder’s career. The consequences depend on the number and type of violations.

First-time offense

A first conviction for impaired driving results in a one-year disqualification of your commercial driver’s license. The penalty gets even tougher if you were transporting hazardous materials while impaired: in this situation, the disqualification jumps to three years, even for a first offense.

Second offense

If you get a second DUI or DWI conviction, the consequences escalate quickly. A second offense generally results in a lifetime ban on driving a commercial vehicle in Maryland. While it is technically possible to seek reinstatement after 10 years, these cases are rare and come with demanding requirements. Drivers in this situation have to look for other work, as a return to commercial driving is extremely unlikely.

Violations apply when driving any vehicle

It’s important to know that the law treats a DUI conviction seriously, even when driving a personal vehicle, not a truck or bus, at the time. Under Maryland’s 2025 law, effective October 1, 2025, the MVA is required to impose a 1-year disqualification if a CDL holder drives any motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, and repeat qualifying offenses can lead to lifetime disqualification.

Maryland also has the power to disqualify a CDL based on a BAC test result and other information in the police report, regardless of whether the initial charge is later reduced. This means it generally won’t be possible to “plead down” a DUI to avoid losing your CDL.

CDL disqualification without a criminal conviction

In Maryland, commercial drivers don’t necessarily need to be found guilty of DUI or DWI in criminal court to lose their CDL. The license can be disqualified through an administrative process before a case is ever resolved before a judge.

Instead of going through the criminal court system right away, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration oversees the disqualification. This means you can lose the ability to drive a commercial vehicle just based on the BAC test results and reports collected by law enforcement.

What to do after receiving a CDL disqualification notice

Getting a disqualification notice for your commercial driver’s license can feel overwhelming, but you have to act quickly. In Maryland, you have just 15 days from when you receive this notice to respond. You generally have three options to address the notice:

• Request a hearing with the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) if you wish to challenge the disqualification.
• Waive your right to a hearing and surrender your CDL, which means accepting the disqualification without a fight.
• Waive the hearing and certify that you do not have possession of your CDL.

CDL hearing process through the office of administrative hearings

If you choose to challenge your CDL disqualification, the case will go before the Office of Administrative Hearings. Once you request a hearing, the OAH will set a date and allow you (and your attorney) to present your side along with any supporting evidence.

Eligibility requirements for CDL reinstatement

After your disqualification period ends, you’ll want to return to work as soon as possible. Before you can get a new CDL, you’ll need to make sure that all your driving privileges (in Maryland and any other state) are not suspended, revoked, or otherwise blocked.

Your history is checked through multiple sources, including:

• The Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS)
• The National Driver Register (NDR)

Another requirement is to turn in any outstanding driver’s licenses or learner’s permits you hold. You’ll need to resolve all issues and conditions related to your revocation or suspension. Clearing up these matters in advance will streamline the process as you seek CDL reinstatement in Maryland.

The decisions you make after being arrested for a DUI while holding a CDL can impact your future driving and employment opportunities significantly, so it’s a good idea to speak with an attorney experienced in CDL matters before taking action.

Why CDL DUI/DWI cases benefit from a defense attorney

Facing a DUI or DWI when you hold a commercial driver’s license is a serious situation to find yourself in. It’s a threat to your livelihood and your future as a whole. Having a knowledgeable defense attorney on your side can make a big difference in how your case turns out. Here’s what a DUI/DWI lawyer brings to the table:

Understanding complex, CDL-specific laws

CDL holders face a different set of standards and penalties than typical drivers do. A defense attorney experienced in CDL DUI cases understands Maryland’s laws, the lower BAC limits, and all the possible administrative or courtroom processes that you’ll need to go through.

Navigating deadlines and paperwork

There’s little room for error with CDL DUI cases – missing a response window or saying the wrong thing could mean giving up your chance to fight back against the disqualification. An attorney makes sure paperwork is filed on time and you don’t miss important hearings.

Negotiating and defending you in court

Your lawyer can also help you fight the criminal charges you’re facing. They can investigate the case and negotiate with the prosecutor for a plea deal if appropriate. Your lawyer may be able to identify errors that the average person without legal training probably wouldn’t see. If the case goes to trial, your attorney is there to defend you aggressively.

Trying to handle a DUI on your own is incredibly risky. We’re here to help. Schedule a free and confidential case consultation today.