People with a history of one or more DUI charges may wonder whether or not their convictions will prevent them from working as drivers for ridesharing services. In this article, we will explore the law regarding this question and will provide information on what criteria one must meet in order to become a ridesharing driver in terms of sobriety. If after reading this article you continue to have questions on the topic, please consider contacting us.
What is the Blood Alcohol Content Limit for “rideshare drivers”?
A rideshare driver is a driver who transports passengers for hire – people who are paying for the service of transportation. Note that the passenger simply chipping in for gas does not constitute a “passenger for hire”. Because of the increased safety risk, rideshare drivers must comply with a lower BAC limit than the average driver. The typical driver must follow a limit of 0.08% BAC, whilst rideshare drivers and commercial vehicle drives must follow a limit of 0.04% BAC. Even if the individual’s ability to safely drive is not impaired, if they surpass the 0.04% BAC, they may still be convicted of a DUI under California law.
Can people with DUI convictions be rideshare drivers?
It is of high importance that those who are employed as rideshare drivers avoid DUI convictions by not surpassing the BAC limit of 0.04% as well as not driving anytime they are in any way impaired from alcohol consumption. This is primarily based upon safety reasons. California law demands that ridesharing companies such as Uber or Lyft have to have a zero-tolerance policy set in place when it comes to their drivers being under the influence of drugs such as alcohol. As a result, anyone who is convicted of a DUI any time within the past seven years may not work as a ridesharing driver.
Conclusion
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a safety risk that should always be taken seriously, especially for rideshare and commercial drivers. For this reason, California has a zero tolerance for DUIs for rideshare drivers. This article has educated the reader on this fact as well as provided information on what is a rideshare driver and what the legal BAC limit is for such individuals providing these services. If you or someone you know is currently being tried for drunk driving as a rideshare driver, please contact us for more information on how you can be defended.
Regardless of the classification of the offense, it is important that you seek the assistance of competent legal counsel to help you best understand your legal defense while identifying an outcome that best minimizes your risk. We here at the H Law Group patiently await your call.
