How to Restore Your CDL After a DUI in Michigan

Is it possible to get your CDL back after a DUI? In many cases, yes—but it’s not automatic.

If your CDL was disqualified due to a DUI, Michigan requires that you complete the full disqualification period—usually one year for a first offense—before pursuing restoration. 

But getting your license back takes more than just waiting.

 

To begin the driver’s license restoration in Michigan process, you’ll need to:

• Work with an experienced attorney
• Gather documentation of rehabilitation
• Attend a Secretary of State hearing
• Make a strong case for your sobriety and safety record

 

Even if your personal driving privileges are restored, CDL reinstatement requires separate steps—including passing knowledge and skills tests. Learn more about restoring your driving privileges after a DUI here.

 

For commercial drivers, a DUI doesn’t have to be the end of your career. But the road back takes effort, legal guidance, and a solid plan.

What Happens to Your CDL After a DUI in Michigan?

For Michigan commercial drivers, a DUI can mean more than just legal trouble—it can mean losing your livelihood.

Michigan holds CDL holders to a higher legal standard, and even a first-time DUI offense can result in a one-year disqualification of your commercial driver’s license. If you were transporting hazardous materials at the time, the disqualification could extend to three years.

 

But that’s not all. Many employers have zero-tolerance policies for DUI offenses. Even a pending charge could result in job loss, and with your CDL disqualified, finding another driving job can be incredibly difficult.

 

In addition to the commercial penalties, your personal driver’s license may also be suspended or revoked, complicating everyday life. Learn more about restoring your driving privileges after a DUI here.

 

If you’re a CDL holder facing DUI charges, don’t wait. Learn more about your options for driver’s license restoration in Michigan and protect your future behind the wheel.