Articles Tagged with Why a DUI in Your Personal Car Could Still Disqualify Your CDL in Illinois

If you’re a commercial driver in Illinois, your CDL isn’t just a license—it’s your livelihood. It’s how you support your family, pay your bills, and build your future. That’s why one of the most devastating surprises for many CDL holders in Chicago is discovering that a DUI arrest in their personal vehicle—on personal time—can still result in a CDL disqualification.

It doesn’t matter if you weren’t on the clock, weren’t in a company vehicle, or were driving to the store. The law in Illinois—and the federal regulations it follows—makes no distinction when it comes to protecting the public from commercial drivers with alcohol-related offenses. Once a DUI is on your record, the consequences hit your CDL hard, and fast.

But there is some good news: with quick legal intervention and the right defense strategy, a DUI arrest doesn’t have to ruin your career. The outcome depends on what you do next.