Bill disqualifies CDL holders for DUI offenses

BATON ROUGE, La. — Commercial driver’s license holders will be unable to operate a school bus for 10 years for committing DUI-related offenses under a bill that was recently signed into law by Gov. Bobby Jindal.

There are two offenses specified in HB 1170.  The first is conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance while operating a commercial motor vehicle or noncommercial motor vehicle.

The second is refusal to submit to a chemical test to determine the driver’s blood-alcohol level when he or she is arrested for an offense alleged to have been committed while the driver was operating a commercial motor vehicle or noncommercial motor vehicle while believed to be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or a controlled substance.

The disqualification period of 10 years may be reduced if the driver meets all the following conditions:

• He or she is not convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance while operating a commercial motor vehicle or noncommercial motor vehicle for a period of five years after being convicted of the disqualifying offense or refusal.

• The driver has not refused to submit to a chemical test to determine his or her blood-alcohol level when arrested for offenses allegedly committed while he or she was believed to be operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance for a period of five years after the disqualifying incident.

• The driver has successfully completed medical treatment, medically approved group therapy or courses approved by the appropriate state authority for alcoholism, alcohol abuse or drug abuse.