Mark Anderson | October 6, 2026 | Truck Accident
Yes, you can lose your CDL if you get a DUI in Texas. Additionally, keep in mind that the legal alcohol limits are lower for those operating a commercial vehicle. Driving while intoxicated can put you and others at risk of serious injury, and it could also affect your livelihood if you use your CDL to make a living.
Keep reading below to learn more about the Texas DUI laws and how your CDL may be affected after a DUI conviction.
Overview of Texas DUI Laws
Texas takes impaired driving seriously, and the DUI laws in the state reflect this. Keep in mind that these laws are known as DWI laws in Texas. Just like other states, Texas has legal limits in place for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) amounts.
You are considered to be legally intoxicated in Texas if your BAC reaches:
- 0.08% or higher for drivers age 21 and up
- Any detectable amount for drivers under 21
- 0.04% for those operating a commercial vehicle
Higher BAC amounts, such as those over 0.15%, can result in elevated charges and even more serious penalties. Although the limits above show the BAC amounts at which you are legally considered intoxicated, you are breaking the law if you operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, such that your ability to operate a vehicle is impaired.
Just because your BAC is less than 0.08% does not mean that you cannot be arrested for a DUI.
Why Do CDL Holders Have Stricter Alcohol Limits?
CDL holders are held to a higher standard than regular motor vehicle drivers. This is because the vehicles they operate can cause catastrophic damage in a truck accident if they are operated inappropriately. Additionally, federal law, not state law, sets many of the consequences for CDL drivers who are convicted of a DUI.
Remember that big trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and operating these large and heavy vehicles requires complete focus and no distractions. This is one reason why the legal limit for CDL drivers is half that of the limit for regular drivers. Additionally, your CDL can be affected even if you get a DUI while driving your personal car.
How a DUI Conviction Can Affect Your CDL
A DUI conviction can have a big effect on your CDL and your ability to drive a commercial vehicle. A first DUI conviction results in:
- A one-year CDL disqualification
- Immediate removal from commercial driving duties
- Suspension of your regular Class C driver’s license
- Criminal penalties, such as fines and jail time
If you were transporting hazardous materials at the time of your DWI, your CDL disqualification will be increased to three years. Plus, the CDL disqualification rules are essentially non-negotiable. There is little that can be done to protect your CDL if you are convicted of a DWI.
The penalties for a first DWI conviction are severe, but a second conviction could end your career. Both federal and Texas law require a lifetime CDL disqualification after a second DWI conviction. In some cases, your CDL privileges may be reinstated after 10 years, but there is no guarantee.
What Happens to My CDL if I Refuse a Breath Test?
In some cases, refusing a breath test can be just as bad or even worse than failing the test. Since Texas is an implied consent state, refusing a breath test can trigger:
- Automatic 1-year CDL disqualification
- Automatic suspension of your regular driver’s license
You should keep these consequences in mind when determining whether or not to take a breath test. If you refuse the test, you can still face the penalties above even if you are not convicted of a DUI.
What Should I Do if I’m Hurt in a DUI Accident?
If you are hurt in a DUI accident, the intoxicated driver could face legal responsibility for all your injuries and damages. The steps you take after your accident could have a big impact on your ability to recover compensation, though.
After a DUI accident, you should:
- Call 911 immediately to report the accident
- Take photos of all the vehicles
- If possible, obtain video footage of the other driver’s intoxicated state
- Get prompt medical treatment for any injuries
- Obtain names and phone numbers from all witnesses
- Talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help with your claim
Taking these steps after a DUI accident can help protect your health, preserve important evidence, and strengthen your ability to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
Contact Anderson Injury Lawyers To Schedule a Free Consultation With a Dallas Truck Accident Attorney
A DWI can have serious consequences for CDL holders, including disqualification from commercial driving and potential effects on their careers. Texas and federal laws impose stricter alcohol limits and penalties on commercial drivers, and even a DWI in a personal vehicle can affect CDL privileges.
If you were injured in an accident caused by an impaired commercial driver in Texas, contact Anderson Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with a Dallas truck accident lawyer.
We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, Travis County, and throughout Texas.
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About the Author
Mark A. Anderson is the founder of Anderson Injury Lawyers and a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer—an honor held by only a small percentage of Texas attorneys. He earned his law degree from Baylor University School of Law and has spent more than 20 years helping injury victims across Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin. Mark handles cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, product liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, and more. Click here to view some of the successful case results Mark has achieved for his clients.
Location: Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin, Texas
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