If you have been charged with a DUI, the thought of it affecting your career can be stressful, especially if you are a professional driver, and for those who drive buses, the stakes are even higher. You might be wondering if a DUI automatically means the end of your career behind the wheel or if there is a way to recover from it and continue driving.
Fortunately, while a DUI can certainly complicate things, it does not always have to be the end of the road, especially if you can work with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer.
In California, the rules surrounding the question, “Can you be a bus driver with a DUI charge?” and their impact on bus driving are strict but not impossible to navigate. Getting convicted of driving under the influence will immediately suspend your commercial driver’s license, and may prevent you from becoming a bus driver.
However, if you have had a DUI, there are ways to address the charge and potentially maintain or regain your eligibility to drive a bus with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer.
State Regulations to Be a Bus Driver After a DUI
In California, bus drivers are subject to different regulations than regular drivers, per section 4 of the California DMV handbook on transporting passengers safely. To drive a bus, you need a commercial driver’s license (CDL), which comes with its own set of rules. One of the biggest concerns for drivers with a DUI is how that conviction will affect their ability to maintain their CDL.
Your CDL will be automatically suspended if you are found guilty of a DUI. However, just because your license is suspended does not mean it is permanently revoked. You may be eligible to reinstate your CDL after the suspension period, depending on the circumstances of your case.
California has strict guidelines when it comes to DUIs and bus drivers. The penalties and restrictions can vary significantly depending on whether it is your first offense or a repeat offense. For example, a second DUI can result in a lifetime ban from holding a CDL, so it is important to know where you stand and what steps you can take to address the charge.
When to Consider an Appeal for a DUI Charge
If you have been convicted of a DUI, you may feel like all hope is lost. However, you may have grounds to appeal the conviction, depending on your situation. Appealing a DUI charge can be a way to reduce penalties, including the impact on your ability to drive a bus.
You might want to consider an appeal if there were errors in handling your case. For example, if there was an issue with how the traffic stop was conducted or problems with how your blood alcohol content (BAC) was measured, these could be reasons to challenge the conviction. Discussing these potential issues with your attorney is important to see if an appeal is the right option for you.
While an appeal does not guarantee a different outcome, it is one way to try and lessen the consequences of a DUI on your driving career. If successful, an appeal could result in a reduced sentence or even a dismissal of the charges. This allows you to keep your CDL and return to work.
The Impact of a DUI on Your CDL
A DUI has a much more severe impact on a CDL than a regular driver’s license. When you hold a CDL, you are held to a higher standard, both on and off the clock. This means that even if you are caught driving under the influence in your personal vehicle, your commercial driving privileges are at risk.
In California, once you are convicted of driving under the influence, your commercial driver’s license will be suspended for at least one year. For a second DUI, you could face a permanent prohibition from obtaining a CDL, making it nearly impossible to continue a career as a bus driver. The suspension applies even if the DUI was in your personal vehicle, which many CDL holders do not realize.
The rules surrounding CDL suspensions for DUI offenses are strict because commercial drivers are responsible for the safety of many passengers. If you are a bus driver with a DUI, this means that the impact of how getting a DUI affects your commercial driver’s license (CDL) is particularly harsh. Regaining your CDL will require you to take several legal and administrative steps.
The Process of Getting a CDL After a DUI
If your CDL has been suspended due to a DUI, you might be wondering what comes next. The good news is that, in some cases, you can apply to have your CDL reinstated after your suspension period per DL 650 from the California DMV. However, the process of getting a CDL after a DUI is not automatic, and it requires you to follow specific steps.
You will need to wait out the suspension period, which can last anywhere from one year to a lifetime, contingent upon the particulars of your case. You cannot drive a bus or any other commercial vehicle during this time. Once your suspension is over, you must apply for reinstatement, which may include retaking the CDL exam or completing additional training.
It is also worth noting that some employers may have their own rules about hiring drivers with a DUI on their record. Finding a bus driving job could still be challenging even if you get your CDL back. However, with the right legal guidance, getting back on the road is possible.
How to Expunge a DUI from Your Record
One way to improve your chances of returning to work as a bus driver with a DUI is to explore the possibility of expunging your record. Expungement is a legal process that allows you to clear certain criminal convictions, including DUIs, under specific circumstances.
Expunging a DUI can remove the conviction from your criminal record, which can make it easier to get a job, especially in positions where driving is involved. However, expungement does not erase the conviction entirely—it just means that, for most purposes, it will not show up on background checks. This can be a significant relief for many people with DUI convictions.
The expungement process varies depending on the details of your case and the state’s laws. In California, you must meet certain criteria, such as completing probation and paying all fines, to be eligible for expungement. Working with a DUI attorney in Los Angeles with DUI strategies can help the potential outcome of your case so you can learn how to get your California DUI expunged.
Let Los Angeles DUI Lawyer Help With Your Situation
While a DUI can complicate your future, it does not have to define it. With the right legal help, you can work toward getting your CDL reinstated and continuing your career as a bus driver with a DUI.
Reach out to us today to learn how a Los Angeles DUI attorney can assist you in moving past this challenging time and getting back on track.
