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I’ve practiced DUI defense for decades in Chicago, and few moments shock clients more than learning they could lose their driver’s license forever. In Illinois, this isn’t an empty threat. A felony DUI conviction—especially a fourth or subsequent offense—can lead to permanent revocation under 625 ILCS 5/6-208(b)(4). This means your license isn’t just suspended; it’s gone indefinitely.

Statute text:

“Any person convicted of a fourth or subsequent violation of Section 11-501 of this Code or a similar provision of a local ordinance shall not be eligible for a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle.”

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Protecting Chicago Truck Drivers and Commercial Operators from Permanent License Loss

Chicago’s highways and interstates run on the labor of commercial drivers who haul goods, materials, and passengers throughout Cook County and beyond. But a single traffic stop or criminal charge can cost a driver their livelihood. When a CDL is disqualified in Illinois, many assume that’s the end of the road. However, Illinois law does provide limited—but critical—avenues for appeal. Understanding those options is vital to protecting your future.

I’ve represented hundreds of CDL holders in Chicago who were blindsided by a notice of disqualification. These drivers are often accused of DUI, reckless driving, or violating an out-of-service order. Whether the incident happens in Bridgeview, Cicero, or downtown Chicago, a CDL suspension can mean immediate termination from employment and long-term financial hardship.

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Imagine being a professional driver in Chicago—logging long hours on the Eisenhower Expressway, handling deliveries around Cicero or Joliet—and suddenly being arrested for DUI after driving home from dinner in your personal vehicle. The flashing lights, the officer’s questions, and a momentary lapse can set off a chain reaction that endangers your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), your career, and your future.

At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C., we’ve represented countless drivers across Cook County, DuPage County, and Will County who discovered that a personal-vehicle DUI carries the same, if not harsher, professional penalties as one committed behind the wheel of a commercial truck.

Illinois law, under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, makes it illegal to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating compounds, or with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more. But for commercial drivers, federal law lowers that threshold to 0.04 BAC when operating a commercial vehicle under 49 CFR § 383.51. The problem is that a DUI in any vehicle—personal or professional—still triggers CDL disqualification.

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When a DUI Threatens Your Illinois CDL

The Stakes for Commercial Drivers in Chicago

Driving a truck or commercial vehicle in Illinois isn’t just a job—it’s the foundation of your livelihood. For thousands of CDL holders who pass daily through Chicago’s interstates, shipping hubs, and rail corridors, even a single DUI arrest can trigger automatic penalties that cost far more than fines. The law treats commercial drivers differently. Whether you were stopped in your semi on the Dan Ryan or driving your personal vehicle home through Cicero Avenue, an arrest can threaten your CDL, income, and reputation.

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Can You Lose Your CDL for a DUI in Your Personal Vehicle in Illinois?

How a Private DUI Arrest Can Destroy a Professional Driving Career in Chicago

For many professional drivers in Chicago, a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is their livelihood. Whether you’re hauling freight from the Union Stock Yards area to the South Loop, delivering goods along I-94, or driving charter buses across Cook County, your CDL is your career. But what happens when a DUI arrest occurs while driving your personal car on a night off?

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Chicago’s Commercial Drivers Face Unique Legal Challenges

In Chicago, professional drivers form the backbone of our city’s economy. From long-haul truckers to delivery and transit drivers, a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) is often the difference between steady employment and unemployment. When a DUI arrest results in a CDL suspension, the impact extends far beyond the courtroom—it threatens your ability to provide for yourself and your family.

Illinois law treats CDL holders differently than other motorists. Under 625 ILCS 5/6-514, any alcohol-related offense can trigger a one-year disqualification for a first offense or lifetime disqualification for a second. The law applies even if you were driving your personal car at the time. That means a night out in River North could lead to the same professional consequences as an on-the-job infraction.

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Chicago’s Trucking Lifeline and the Stakes of a CDL Case

In a city like Chicago—where semis move daily along I-90, I-94, and I-290 to reach warehouses in Bedford Park, Cicero, and Joliet—commercial drivers are the unseen force that keeps businesses alive. Losing a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) can mean losing a paycheck, a career, and in many cases, the ability to support a family. Illinois law under 625 ILCS 5/6-514 and federal rules in 49 C.F.R. § 383.51 set strict standards for professional drivers, leaving little room for error.

What many drivers fail to realize is that a CDL disqualification can result from conduct that seems minor: a speeding ticket 15 mph over the limit, a lane change violation, or even a cellphone citation. These infractions, called serious traffic violations, stack quickly. Two within three years may result in a 60-day CDL suspension; three may lead to 120 days. If alcohol, controlled substances, or refusal of a test are involved, the loss may last a year—or for life.

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Why a DUI Threatens More Than Your License

For most drivers in Chicago, Illinois, a DUI arrest is stressful but survivable. For those who hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), it can destroy a career overnight. Even if the alleged offense occurs in your personal vehicle, the Illinois Secretary of State will move to suspend your CDL the moment your blood alcohol content (BAC) is recorded at 0.04 percent or higher or if you refuse a chemical test. That single mark on your record can end your employment, trigger termination from your company’s insurance, and place your name in federal safety databases.

As a Chicago criminal defense lawyer, I’ve represented truck drivers, delivery operators, and bus drivers across Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties facing these exact circumstances. I know the system moves fast—long before you’ve had the chance to tell your side of the story. The police, prosecutors, and administrative authorities each act on their own timelines. That’s why an immediate legal defense is essential to preserve both your CDL and your freedom.

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The Immediate and Long-Term Fallout of a DUI Arrest in Illinois

A DUI arrest in Chicago can unravel a person’s reputation, employment status, and professional credentials in a matter of days. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, it is unlawful to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating compounds. While some assume a DUI is a routine traffic offense, Illinois law classifies it as a criminal charge—and the difference is life-altering.

A first-offense DUI in Illinois is typically charged as a Class A misdemeanor, which carries penalties of up to 364 days in jail, fines up to $2,500, license suspension, and mandatory alcohol evaluation and treatment. However, under 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d), aggravating factors—such as prior convictions, a child passenger, or causing serious injury—can escalate the charge to a felony (Aggravated DUI) punishable by multiple years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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Understanding Illinois DUI Law and How It Applies

Chicago law enforcement takes driving under the influence very seriously, and many people are surprised to learn that you can be charged with DUI even if your vehicle wasn’t in motion. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, Illinois law defines DUI as being in “actual physical control” of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any intoxicating compound. That means that the police don’t need to see you driving. If the officer believes you were capable of operating the car, even if the engine was off, a DUI arrest is possible.

In Chicago, I’ve handled cases where someone pulled over to “sleep it off” in a parking lot, only to end up in handcuffs. The officer noticed the person sitting behind the wheel with the keys nearby, and that was enough for an arrest. These cases happen all across Cook County, from neighborhoods like Wicker Park and Bridgeport to Evanston and Oak Lawn.

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Contact Information
Chicago Office
70 W Madison St
#1450
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 560-7100
DuPage Office
140 Butterfield Rd
#1500
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Skokie Office
5250 Old Orchard Rd
#300
Skokie, IL 60077

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