Will I Lose My CDL After a First-Time DWI in Arkansas? | Ludwig Law Firm

If you’re a commercial driver facing your first DWI in Arkansas, your livelihood could be on the line. Learn what’s at stake — and how to fight back.

Introduction: A DWI Charge Can Threaten Your Entire Career

Commercial drivers live by a different set of rules than the rest of the motoring public. A single mistake behind the wheel — even off duty — can jeopardize your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). In Arkansas, a first-time DWI charge carries serious consequences that extend far beyond the courtroom. The loss of your CDL could mean the loss of your job, your income, and your long-term career.

At Ludwig Law Firm, we don’t just defend DWI cases. We protect futures. With decades of combined experience practicing in district courts across Arkansas, we can help many commercial drivers retain their licenses and stay on the road. If your job depends on your CDL, this guide is for you.

CDL DWI Rules: What Makes Commercial Drivers Different?

In Arkansas, commercial drivers are held to stricter standards than ordinary drivers. The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for a CDL holder operating a commercial vehicle is 0.04%, which is half the standard limit of 0.08% for other drivers.

Even if you weren’t driving your commercial vehicle at the time of arrest, a DWI conviction can result in the suspension or disqualification of your CDL.

Key Distinction: Commercial vs Personal Vehicle

Will I Automatically Lose My CDL After a First Offense?

Yes, a first-time DWI conviction — even in a personal vehicle — will result in a mandatory one-year CDL disqualification.

According to both federal and Arkansas state law, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) must disqualify your CDL for 12 months upon conviction. This holds true whether the DWI occurred while operating a commercial vehicle or not.

Exceptions and Extended Penalties

If your DWI involved hazardous materials or caused a fatality, you could lose your CDL for three years or even life for a second offense.

What Happens After You’re Arrested?

After a DWI arrest in Arkansas, two processes begin at the same time:

1. Criminal Proceedings: This involves the court system and potential jail time, fines, and conviction.

2. Administrative License Action: This happens through the Arkansas DFA, which can suspend both your regular and commercial licenses.

To protect your CDL, you must request a hearing within 7 days of your arrest to challenge the automatic suspension.

How Ludwig Law Fights to Save Your CDL

Losing your CDL doesn’t have to be inevitable. Our attorneys take a tactical, aggressive approach to minimize the damage and fight for dismissal, acquittal, or reduction of the charges.

Here’s how we do it:

Step-by-Step Defense Strategy

Can I Keep Working While My CDL Is Suspended?

Unfortunately, no. If your CDL is disqualified, you cannot operate any commercial vehicle until the disqualification period ends and you successfully reinstate your license.

However, there may be ways to avoid or delay disqualification if your case is handled properly from day one. We often advise commercial drivers to avoid pleading guilty without first consulting a skilled DWI attorney.

Avoid These Common Mistakes After a CDL DWI Arrest

Mistake #1: Admitting guilt too early
Many drivers think they’re helping their case by cooperating too much. Anything you say can — and will — be used against you.

Mistake #2: Missing the license hearing deadline
Failing to request a hearing within 7 days forfeits your chance to stop automatic license suspension.

Mistake #3: Hiring a general practice lawyer
You need a firm that knows DWI and CDL law inside and out — especially in Arkansas, where procedural pitfalls are everywhere.

Mistake #4: Assuming you’ll get a break because it’s your first offense
CDL holders don’t get leniency. The system punishes professional drivers more harshly, not less.

Reinstating Your CDL After Suspension

Once your disqualification period ends, reinstatement isn’t automatic. You’ll need to:

1. Complete any court-ordered DWI classes or alcohol education programs.

2. Pay reinstatement fees.

3. Reapply through the Arkansas DFA and potentially retest.

It’s a complex process, and any errors or delays could push your reinstatement further out.

Why Ludwig Law Is the Right Firm to Protect Your CDL

Losing your CDL means losing your way to make a living. That’s why we treat every DWI case like the high-stakes battle it is.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Proven track record in CDL and professional license defense

• Respected education and training from top Arkansas institutions

• Deep procedural experience in courts across the state

• Hands-on, strategic legal planning — not a cookie-cutter defense

We’ll help you go from fear and confusion to a plan of attack that gives you back control.

Conclusion: Don’t Let One Arrest End Your Career

A first-time DWI arrest can feel like the end of the road. But it doesn’t have to be. With fast, strategic legal intervention, it’s possible to save your CDL and protect your livelihood.

Ludwig Law Firm is here to guide you through every legal step with experience, empathy, and unrelenting skill.

Your future is worth fighting for. And we know how to win.