Skip to main content

CDL DUI Lawyers in Vancouver, WA

If you are facing a DUI while holding a CDL in Washington, your livelihood can be at risk before the criminal case is resolved. VanWa Legal has defended DUI charges in Clark County since 2009 and, when retained, can coordinate the court case, DOL hearing, and commercial-license issues.

Request a CDL Case Review

Why Clients Choose VanWa Legal

Dedication

We are available 24/7

Experience

Nearly 30 years of combined criminal defense experience

Insider Knowledge

A former Oregon prosecutor now fights on your side

Trial-Tested

Thousands of criminal matters and dozens of jury trials

Washington CDL DUI Consequences at a Glance

Issue General Rule
Personal or commercial vehicle A personal-vehicle DUI or refusal can affect a CDL; a commercial-vehicle alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more can trigger disqualification
First qualifying event Generally at least 1 year of CDL disqualification
First event while transporting placarded hazardous materials Generally at least 3 years of CDL disqualification
Two qualifying events from separate incidents Generally lifetime CDL disqualification, subject to the complete record and current law
DOL hearing request The applicable notice can provide as little as 7 days to request a hearing
Police officer speaking with a driver during a traffic stop

What VanWa Legal Brings to a CDL DUI Defense

A commercial driver needs a defense that accounts for the charge, both types of driving privilege, employment, and short DOL deadlines. VanWa brings:

  • Local DUI work since 2009 in Vancouver and Clark County.
  • Nearly 30 years of combined criminal-defense experience.
  • Former prosecution and public-defense perspectives on how the State builds a case.
  • Thousands of criminal matters and dozens of jury trials behind the firm's attorneys.
  • DOL and criminal-defense coordination rather than treating the license issue as an afterthought.

How VanWa Can Help Protect Your License and Livelihood

When retained, VanWa can build the defense around the driver's actual notices, record, work, and evidence. That may include:

  • Deadline triage for the applicable DOL notice and hearing request.
  • Coordinated planning for the criminal case, ordinary license, and CDL.
  • Evidence review covering reports, video, testing records, laboratory material, warnings, and refusal evidence.
  • Challenge development focused on the stop, probable cause, field testing, breath or blood evidence, and DOL reporting.
  • Practical guidance about driving restrictions, employer notices, likely next steps, and possible resolutions.

No lawyer can promise an outcome, but the strategy should reflect both the charge and the livelihood at stake.

What to Do After a DUI Arrest When You Hold a CDL

  1. Keep every notice and court document.
  2. Record when each notice arrived; a hearing request can be due within seven days.
  3. Preserve original evidence, including messages, video, receipts, location records, and witness information.
  4. Check your driving status before working; a restricted ordinary license does not authorize commercial driving.
  5. Arrange a prompt review so VanWa can separate the criminal case from the DOL process and identify the immediate next step.
Police vehicle with emergency lights during nighttime traffic enforcement

Why a DUI With a CDL Requires a Broader Defense

A commercial driver may face three connected tracks: the criminal prosecution, an action against ordinary driving privileges, and CDL disqualification. A personal-vehicle DUI or refusal can still affect the CDL, while a commercial-vehicle alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more can independently matter. Under RCW 46.25.090, qualifying events can generally produce one-year, three-year, or lifetime disqualification periods. VanWa reviews the vehicle, endorsements, prior record, testing allegation, DOL notices, and criminal evidence together before recommending a strategy.

Gavel and case files in a courtroom

How VanWa Builds the Defense

VanWa may examine the reason for the stop, officer observations, body-camera or dash-camera video, field-test administration, breath-device records, blood collection and handling, laboratory records, warnings, and refusal evidence. CDL-specific review can include license class, endorsements, vehicle status, hazardous-material status, prior incidents, and what law enforcement reported to DOL.

The team's prosecution, public-defense, and trial experience helps identify factual, procedural, and testing disputes that may not be visible from the citation alone.

What the Resolution Must Account For

A reduced criminal charge does not automatically erase an arrest-based suspension or CDL disqualification, and a restricted ordinary license does not permit commercial driving. The strategy should also account for employer-notification duties under RCW 46.25.030, the effect of deferred prosecution, and any requalification requirements. Drivers focused on an older record can use the firm's separate guide to obtaining a CDL after a past Washington DUI.

What to Expect When You Hire VanWa Legal

  1. Free consultation: review the allegation, notices, deadlines, and immediate concerns.
  2. Written scope and fee: the up-front flat-fee quote identifies whether stages such as the DOL hearing, motions, or trial are included; payment plans are available on most cases.
  3. Evidence-focused strategy: the lawyers analyze the available record and explain the options.
  4. Preparation for the next stage: VanWa prepares for negotiation, motions, hearings, or trial according to the facts and agreed scope.

VanWa offers CDL DUI defense to commercial drivers in Vancouver and throughout Clark County. Bring the complete paperwork, endorsements, and Washington or out-of-state driving history so the consultation addresses your actual record.

Contact us

Protect Your CDL, Career, and Defense Strategy From the Start

Start with a free consultation. Bring every DOL notice, your court papers, CDL and endorsements, and your complete driving record. The team can identify immediate deadlines, explain the service scope, and outline the next step.

Or Call (360) 281-7314
Gavel and legal scales

Cases we handle

Related DUI Defense Services

View all DUI Defense Services

4.9 star reviews based on 110+ reviews

What Our Clients Say About Us

I hired Roger to represent my husband when he was arrested on false charges. From the very beginning, Roger was responsive, knowledgeable and willing to take on the case. He was the only one to return my call when I was searching for help. He is very confident in his ability and worked hard to get all the charges dismissed. He is able to be calm in situations where his clients are anything but. I am so grateful for the services provided by Roger. He is very respected in the legal community here in Vancouver. I hope I never need a lawyer again, but if I did, Roger would be my first choice.
RL Rosie L. 2 months ago
I am writing a much overdue review for Roger Priest after he has gone above and beyond while representing me as my lawyer. Last year I found myself facing legal difficulties after my first and only DUI. While the circumstances were incredibly stressful, Roger's involvement in my case made the process straight forward and my case was resolved in a timely manner. Roger is exceptionally proficient in cases like mine and he demonstrates that in and out of the court room. Not only did he walk me through the process but he put my family's concerns at ease by answering all of our questions and making himself available whenever we needed clarification. I was very fortunate to have Roger on my side during that difficult time and would highly recommend his services to anyone that finds themselves in need of legal counsel. Thank you once again, Roger!
CM Carly M. 3 months ago
Called for advice on what turned out to be a scam call. Roger Priest had me at ease in a very timely manner. Thank you!
FA Florence A. 1 month ago
VanWa Legal exceeded my expectations. From the initial consultation to the final court appearance, they were thorough, strategic, and always had my best interests in mind. Their attention to detail and dedication to their clients is unmatched. Highly recommend!
D Deimer 2 months ago
Roger Priest at VanWa Legal has been instrumental in changing my life for the better. He fought for me and won! I'm forever grateful.
BC Becky C 4 months ago
I met Roger at the start of 2025, somehow after I paid for a fender bender that I caused I was hit with a hit and run little did I know when I had a warrant two years after the incident. As of today my case was entirely dismissed without even going to trial. I couldn't be happier with the results and couldn't vouch for a different lawyer. Every time we had a court date, we were the first ones on and promptly the first case handled. Roger Priest is the man- I would highly recommend you give him a call if you are experiencing trouble.
CC Cristian Carter 1 month ago
Had a consultation with Roger priest this morning, paid attention to detail and what he had to say and he was very honest and upforward not to mention he took the time to look up additional information which lead to the best possible news. I thought my life was over and he gave me hope. Thank you Roger I will be hiring you!!! You give people with a bad past who are trying to do good lots of hope! God bless you.
ML Mr Lopez 3 months ago
Roger handled my case promptly and painlessly. We are from out of state and had spoken with quite a few attorneys in the area before we made the trip. Roger was middle of the road cost-wise (which was truly fair) and was clearly competent, handling the case in one trip over as oppose to the two or even three trip process many of the others were communicating would be the case. I would hire again without a second thought. Thanks again Roger.
SW Shelley W 5 months ago
Excellent responsiveness, considerate and honest. Roger got the job done results were in my favor. Couldn't be happier, Highly recommend!!
KS Karin Saltz 6 months ago
Roger Priest provided truly exceptional service for a family member of mine. He was an extraordinary value for the level of knowledge and proffessionalism he provided. My loved one got the deal of a lifetime thanks to him. If any of my friends or family are ever in a less than fortunate spot and need legal advice Roger will always be my #1 reccomendation.
TV Taylor Vance 5 months ago
Roger Priest is professional, intelligent and experienced, you can tell by the way he holds himself in court. Out of the 21 lawyers I interviewed and compared on an excel spreadsheet. I put my trust in Roger and he didn't let me down.
AM Aaron M 7 months ago
Roger Priest was my Criminal Attorney for a DUI case I had in 2018. Through out the whole process he was in contact and always was reassuring! He gave his honest opinion on rather or not if my case would be worth going to trial, which is hard to come by! Today I left the courtroom a free man to come home to my family with a lot of tension lifted off my shoulders because of how he was articulate and presented my defense. I am very lucky to have him in my corner and to be spared. I will take this experience as a wake up call because these opportunities don't come too often! Mr. Priest definitely deserves a 5 star rating for his devotion and overall performance.
JB JB 8 months ago
Roger Priest was referred to me by another lawyer (who could not take my case). Out of the 3 lawyers I reached out to Mr. Priest was willing to hear my case and not just try and convince me to take the easy route and plead out. He was informative, honest, and very tactical (in his approach with my case). Mr. Priest not only kept me updated with his plans and what to except he involved me in every aspect I could be in. He was very approachable and kind. I won my case, I wouldn't have if I had gone with another lawyer. I am very satisfied with having had Roger Priest defend me. I hope to never have to use his services again but definitely would rehire him again (I wish I could hire him as my divorce attorney).
AS Alicia S. 6 months ago
I recently consulted Roger for my first and only legal matter. He explained at length the legal ramifications that i was facing and he listened closely to all my questions and concerns. He was very attentive and empathic towards my situation and did not rush through things. I would highly recommend Roger to anyone I know seeking legal representation.
IK Itzel Keefer 7 months ago

FAQ

Washington CDL DUI Questions

Why consider VanWa Legal for a CDL DUI case?

VanWa has defended DUI charges in Clark County since 2009. The attorneys bring nearly 30 years of combined criminal-defense experience, former prosecution and public-defense perspectives, thousands of criminal matters, dozens of jury trials, and a process that handles DOL hearings alongside the criminal DUI case.

Can a DUI in my personal vehicle affect my CDL?

Yes. Washington's CDL-disqualification law includes listed DUI, concentration, and refusal events involving noncommercial vehicles. The exact effect depends on the reported event, disposition, prior record, and current state and federal rules.

Does requesting a DOL hearing protect my CDL?

Requesting the applicable hearing preserves the opportunity to contest the DOL action. Washington DOL states that failing to request the hearing, or losing it, can produce automatic CDL disqualification, while the CDL disqualification itself is not a separate issue decided at that hearing.

Can an ignition-interlock or hardship license let me drive commercially?

No restricted ordinary license should be treated as permission to operate a commercial motor vehicle. FMCSA guidance says states may not issue conditional, occupational, hardship, temporary, or similar commercial privileges during a disqualification.

How much does VanWa charge for CDL DUI defense?

The consultation is free. If VanWa accepts the case and you hire the firm, the written up-front flat-fee quote identifies which stages are included, such as the DOL hearing, motions, or trial. Payment plans are available on most cases.

Contact us

Speak With A Lawyer Now

Start with a free consultation. Bring every DOL notice, your court papers, CDL and endorsements, and your complete driving record. The team can identify immediate deadlines, explain the service scope, and outline the next step.

Or Call (360) 281-7314
The VanWa Legal attorney team