If your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) has been suspended in Texas, you’re likely feeling nervous about getting back on the road. A CDL suspension can have a profound impact on your career and livelihood, especially for drivers based in Laredo, San Antonio, and the wider Texas area who depend on their commercial driving privileges.
Guzman Law Firm offers an aggressive approach for CDL holders facing suspension to help them navigate this challenging situation. Contact Guzman Law Firm at (956) 516-7198 for guidance on appealing your CDL suspension and defending your driving privileges.
What happens if your CDL is suspended in Texas?
In Texas, a suspended CDL means you are legally prohibited from operating any commercial vehicle, including trucks and buses, for a specified period. This suspension can significantly impact your employment, financial stability, and future job opportunities, as well as raise your insurance premiums. Violating the suspension by driving a commercial vehicle can lead to additional penalties, such as increased fines, an extended suspension, or even jail time.
Suspension periods vary based on the circumstances of your case, but often look like this:
| Conviction | Disqualification Period |
| Alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident, or commission of a felony | At least one year for first offense; lifetime for a second offense |
| Alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident, or commission of a felony while operating a vehicle carrying hazardous materials | At least three years for first offense; lifetime for second offense |
| Two serious traffic offenses within three years | 60 days |
| Three serious traffic offenses within three years | 120 days |
| Railroad-highway grade crossing violations | 60 days for first offense; 120 days for second offense within 3 years; at least 1 year for third offense within 3 years |
| Using a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of a felony | Lifetime |
Because both Texas state laws and federal regulations govern CDL privileges, a CDL suspension may have lasting consequences. To minimize these effects, it’s essential to identify the reason for your suspension and explore any available options for appeal or reinstatement.
Common reasons for CDL suspension in Texas
Several actions can lead to a CDL suspension in Texas including:
- Driving white intoxicated (DWI): A DWI conviction, whether alcohol or drug-related, results in an automatic CDL suspension. This applies even if you were driving a personal vehicle at the time of the offense. Additionally, CDL drivers are held to a higher standard than other drivers, and must adhere to a .04% BAC limit, rather than the standard .08.
- Serious traffic violations: Accumulating multiple serious traffic violations, like reckless driving or excessive speeding, within a three-year period may lead to suspension.
- Operating a vehicle with a suspended CDL: Driving while your CDL is already under suspension results in extended suspension periods and additional penalties.
- Excessive out-of-service orders: Ignoring or violating out-of-service orders, which are issued for safety violations or when a driver is deemed unfit to operate a vehicle, can also lead to a suspension.
- Improper use of commercial vehicles: Using a commercial vehicle to commit a felony or serious offense, such as drug trafficking, can result in long-term CDL suspension or even a lifetime ban.
These offenses are serious, but correctly working through the appeal process may allow you to reduce or overturn your suspension.
Can you appeal a license suspension in Texas?
Yes, CDL holders in Texas have the right to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. However, timing is critical. Upon receiving a suspension notice, you typically have 15 days to request a hearing. This hearing allows you to present your case and possibly challenge the grounds for suspension. During the ALR hearing, your lawyer can examine the evidence, challenge any procedural errors, and present a compelling argument to maintain your driving privileges.
Working with an experienced attorney is advisable, as they understand Texas CDL laws and can offer guidance tailored to your case. This is especially valuable for DWI-related suspensions, where a DWI attorney can help gather evidence, arrange witness testimony, and build a strategic case to reduce or lift the suspension.
Remember: missing the 15-day window for requesting a hearing may result in forfeiting your right to appeal, so it’s essential to act fast.
Learn about what factors affect your chances of winning an ALR hearing in Texas
How do I get my CDL back after suspension in Texas?
Wondering how to get a CDL back after suspension? First, you have to meet specific requirements set by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). These conditions vary based on the reason for suspension but often include the following steps:
- Complete required education programs: Some suspensions may require you to complete an alcohol awareness course or a defensive driving program.
- Fulfill court-ordered requirements: If your suspension is related to a legal offense, such as a DWI, you may be required to fulfill all court-imposed conditions before reinstatement. This might include community service or completing probation.
- Pay applicable fines and fees: Before reinstatement, any outstanding fines related to the suspension must be paid in full.
- Apply for Texas driver’s license reinstatement: Submit an application for reinstatement to the Texas DPS. You may need to show proof of completion for any required courses or conditions.
- Pass examinations if necessary: In some cases, DPS may require you to retake the commercial driving exam or medical evaluation to ensure you meet Texas’s physical and knowledge requirements.
Meeting these criteria can take time, so preparing in advance and understanding your obligations can help make the process smoother.
Do I have to pay a CDL reinstatement fee?
Yes, a reinstatement fee is typically required to get your CDL back after suspension, with the amount varying based on the suspension reason. In Texas, fees for alcohol- or drug-related offenses are often higher, and additional charges may apply if there are outstanding penalties or unmet legal obligations.
CDL reinstatement fees typically cover administrative costs related to processing your reinstatement and updating your records. These fees must be paid in full before the DPS will consider your reinstatement application.
Facing CDL suspension in Texas? Call Guzman Law Firm to preserve your right to drive.
A CDL suspension doesn’t have to mean the end of your commercial driving career. With the help of a skilled attorney, you can appeal the suspension and work toward reinstatement, minimizing the disruption to your life and work.
Whether you’re based in Laredo, San Antonio, or anywhere else in Texas, Guzman Law Firm is here to help protect your driving privileges and get you back on the road.
Attorney Javier Guzman offers experienced legal support for CDL holders facing license issues, guiding you through every step of the appeal and reinstatement process. Don’t let a suspension threaten your livelihood — protect your rights and career by calling Guzman Law Firm today at (956) 516-7198 for a consultation about your Texas CDL appeal.
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