Commercial truck drivers in Texas work hard to make a living, and their livelihood depends on keeping a clean driving record. If you’ve been arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you’re not just facing a criminal charge — you’re staring down the potential loss of your job, income, and future opportunities. Texas has some of the strictest DWI laws in the country, and for CDL holders, the penalties hit even harder.
At Guzman Law Firm, we understand the high stakes involved. You’ve built a career, supported your family, and committed to a profession that demands responsibility. A single DWI charge shouldn’t mean the end of your road. Whether you’re facing a first-time offense or dealing with complex CDL suspension issues, our firm is here to fight for you.
Keep reading to find out what happens if your CDL is suspended for a DWI in Texas — and more importantly, what you can do about it. Don’t let a mistake cost you your career! Call Guzman Law Firm today and get a proven fighter in your corner.
What happens if you get a DWI with a CDL in Texas?
Getting a DWI with a commercial driver’s license in Texas triggers an immediate chain reaction that can be devastating for your career. The moment you’re arrested, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is notified, and the clock starts ticking.
Immediate consequences
Upon arrest for a DWI, the arresting officer will likely confiscate your CDL and issue a Notice of Suspension/Temporary Driving Permit. This gives you only 15 days to take action — specifically, to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. If you miss that window, your CDL will automatically be suspended 40 days from the date of your arrest, regardless of whether you’ve been convicted yet.
This suspension can last:
- 1 year for a first DWI offense
- Lifetime disqualification (with potential for reinstatement after 10 years) for a second offense or if hazardous materials were being transported at the time
What happens at the ALR hearing?
The ALR hearing is your opportunity to challenge the suspension of your CDL. It’s a civil administrative process separate from your criminal DWI case. During this hearing, DPS must prove:
- The officer had reasonable suspicion to stop you,
- There was probable cause to arrest you for DWI,
- You either had a BAC of 0.08% or higher (or 0.04% for CDL holders), or
- You refused to submit to chemical testing
If you do not request this hearing within the 15-day period, you lose your chance to contest the suspension, and the Texas CDL disqualification moves forward uncontested. If you attend but lose the hearing, the disqualification still goes into effect.
Consequences for missing or losing the ALR hearing
Missing or losing your ALR hearing triggers immediate consequences and has longer-term impacts, which can include:
- No driving commercial vehicles for the duration of the suspension
- Loss of employment
- Increased insurance premiums
- Difficulty finding future driving jobs
These consequences are steep, which is why it’s critical to involve a skilled DWI attorney who understands both the ALR and criminal court processes.
Can you get your CDL back after a DWI?
The good news? Yes, you can get your CDL back after a DWI; but it won’t be easy, and it won’t happen on its own.
Texas law does not treat CDL holders like regular drivers. The legal thresholds are stricter (a BAC of 0.04% is enough to warrant DWI charges), and so are the consequences. That’s why timing, representation, and action are everything.
Why you must act fast
Once your CDL is suspended, your professional life is on hold. Employers often don’t wait around for the outcome of a case — they hire drivers who are fully licensed and ready to work. The longer your license is suspended, the harder it becomes to recover your position in the industry, which is why you need to:
- Request the ALR hearing within 15 days
- Hire a DWI attorney who handles CDL cases
- Start building your defense before your court date
What happens if you’re convicted?
If you’re convicted of a DWI, your CDL will be disqualified for at least one full year. For some, that can feel like a career-ending blow. However, with the right legal strategy, it may be possible to get the charge reduced or dismissed, avoid conviction altogether, or mitigate the length of disqualification.
Bottom line: don’t assume your CDL is gone for good. With the right help, you may be able to get back on the road.
How do I get my CDL back after suspension in Texas?
If your CDL has been suspended due to a DWI, getting it reinstated isn’t automatic. You’ll need to satisfy certain legal requirements, meet eligibility criteria, and demonstrate that you’re fit to operate commercial vehicles again.
Texas CDL reinstatement process
- Complete the Texas CDL disqualification period (if ALR appeal fails or if convicted)
- Complete any court-ordered programs, including DWI education or substance abuse counseling
- Pay all reinstatement fees to the Texas DPS
- Reapply for your commercial driver’s license, which may include re-testing
- Submit SR-22 insurance, if required
During this time, your attorney can advocate for reduced penalties, help you meet court requirements, and challenge any ongoing administrative issues that stand in your way.
Legal defenses and tactics to reinstate a CDL
An experienced DWI attorney can explore a number of strategies to help reinstate your CDL or protect you from disqualification:
- Challenging the traffic stop: If the stop wasn’t legally justified, the arrest can be thrown out
- Fighting breath or blood test results: Faulty equipment or improper procedure could render BAC evidence inadmissible
- Negotiating for a lesser charge: Sometimes DWI charges can be reduced to reckless driving or another non-disqualifying offense
- Winning the ALR hearing: This can prevent the CDL suspension from happening in the first place
Can you get deferred adjudication with a CDL in Texas?
This is where things get tricky.
Under Texas law, CDL holders are not eligible for deferred adjudication for a DWI offense — even if the offense occurred in a personal vehicle. This rule is part of a federal mandate designed to hold commercial drivers to higher standards.
That said, your attorney may still be able to negotiate alternative resolutions or push for reduced charges that avoid conviction for DWI, keeping your CDL viable.
Don’t lose your right to drive. Keep truckin’ with Guzman Law Firm.
If you’re a CDL holder facing a DWI in Texas, you don’t have time to sit back and hope for the best. Your job, your income, and your entire livelihood are on the line. What happens if your CDL is suspended for a DWI in Texas? Your trucking career could stop dead in its tracks — but with the right defense, it doesn’t have to.
Attorney Javier Guzman has helped commercial drivers throughout Texas protect their licenses, beat DWI charges, and get back to work. We know how the courts operate. We understand the DPS’s system. And we’ll do everything possible to help you fight for your future.
Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or dealing with a CDL suspension after a hearing, our legal team is ready to step in and take the wheel. We’ll handle the paperwork, the hearings, and the courtroom battles. You just focus on what matters: keeping your career on track.
Don’t let a DWI take you off the road. Contact Guzman Law Firm today, or call at (956) 516-7198 to get the aggressive, experienced representation you need.
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