Are Commercial Drivers Held to a Higher Standard in DUI Cases?

 Posted on August 28, 2025 in DUI/DWI/BUI

The crime of driving under the influence (DUI) is taken seriously in Tennessee, carrying strict penalties for offenders. If you drive a commercial vehicle for a living, the consequences of a conviction could threaten your ability to earn a living. When your professional license is at stake, a good attorney is an absolute necessity.

As a Union County CDL DUI lawyer with over a decade of experience, Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney is qualified to help you fight a DUI charge. His qualifications include a Certificate of Completion in DUI Defense Law from Harvard Law School, as well as membership in the National College of DUI Defense.

What Is the BAC Limit for Commercial Drivers in Tennessee?

An important metric in a DUI case is a driver’s blood alcohol content, or BAC. This is essentially a measure of the level of alcohol in your system, and it can be measured through blood or breath testing. If you are accused of driving with a BAC of .08 percent or higher, you could face charges of DUI.

That is the law for regular drivers. However, for commercial drivers, the standard is much stricter. While driving a commercial vehicle, the legal BAC limit is only .04 percent (Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-401).

Will I Lose My Commercial Driver’s License for a DUI?

CDL violations in Tennessee are classified as either "serious" or "major." The former category consists of minor offenses like speeding or swerving between lanes, while the latter refers to severe infractions like fleeing the scene of an accident.

Driving under the influence in a commercial vehicle is counted as a major violation for CDL holders. If you are convicted of DUI, your commercial driver’s license will be suspended for at least a year. A second conviction of DUI with a blood alcohol concentration of .04 percent will result in disqualification for life. Moreover, refusing a chemical test while operating your commercial vehicle will also be counted as a major violation.

Will DUI Charges in My Personal Vehicle Affect My Commercial Driver’s License?

You might assume that what goes on in your personal life has no bearing on your commercial license. However, this is not the case in Tennessee. Even if you were not working and driving your personal vehicle, a conviction of driving under the influence could still result in a one-year suspension of your CDL.

Whether or not you were driving a commercial vehicle, defending against a DUI charge requires a strong understanding of the law. Attorney Coller can go over your possible defenses to a DUI charge. We may challenge the legality of the traffic stop or question the accuracy of a breathalyzer test. The best defense should be tailored to the facts of your case, and our firm will take the time to consider all of the relevant information.

Meet With a Union County, TN DUI Defense Lawyer

Commercial drivers are held to stricter standards than most other drivers in Tennessee. To protect your record and your livelihood, work with Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney. Our Anderson County, TN CDL defense attorney can make sure your rights are respected during your case. Call us at 865-281-1000 to set up a free consultation.