Individuals with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) must be extremely careful with using alcohol, as well as any and all other controlled substances (including prescribed medications). A CDL driver who is charged with a DUI can lose their Commercial License even if they were not using their CDL when they committed the alleged crime. This means that if you are convicted of a DUI even in your personal vehicle you will lose your CDL.
The first time a CDL holder is convicted of a DUI, they will lose their Commercial Driver’s License for a period of 1 year. If they are caught for a DUI or other major offense a second time, according to PENNDOT rules, they will be banned for life from having a CDL. In other words, the Commercial Driver’s License only allows ONE mistake – a second mistake means a lifetime ban.
If you have a HAZMAT Certification along with a CDL, there is a 3-year ban on the HAZMAT for a first offense. A second offense is a life time ban with your CDL.