In many states it is a criminal offense (DUI/DWI) to operate a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .04 or more—which is half of the BAC usually required to commit the DUI/DWI offense while driving a non-commercial vehicle. Because most holders of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) depend on their license to earn a living, the consequences of a DUI/DWI conviction for a CDL holder—including a conviction while operating a non-commercial vehicle—are serious.

Laws vary from state to state but a CDL holder’s license may be suspended for one year for the first offense, and with a second DUI/DWI conviction the CDL holder may be permanently disqualified from holding a CDL.

These laws are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the vehicle code, motor vehicle code, or transportation code.

In New Jersey, the laws regarding DUI/DWI offenses for commercial vehicle drivers are indeed strict. A commercial driver operating a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or higher can be charged with a DUI/DWI, which is indeed half the BAC limit of 0.08% for non-commercial drivers. For CDL holders, the consequences of a DUI/DWI are severe, as their livelihood often depends on maintaining their license. Under New Jersey law, a first DUI/DWI offense can result in a one-year suspension of the CDL. If a CDL holder commits a second DUI/DWI offense, they face a lifetime disqualification from holding a CDL. These regulations are designed to ensure the safety of the roads and to hold commercial drivers to a higher standard given the potential consequences of operating larger vehicles under the influence of alcohol.