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Will I lose my job for drunk driving?
I’ve always been a careful driver with a clean driving record—until recently. I made the mistake of driving after having a few drinks and got caught. I haven’t been convicted yet, but I probably will be. Can I get fired for getting a DUI?
Tiffany Leung · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Sorry to hear about your dilemma!
You may lose your job for drunk driving—but not necessarily. It depends on your company’s policy surrounding legal matters.
However, since most employment in the U.S. is at-will, employers can fire an employee for any reason—as long as it is non-discriminatory and non-retaliatory. In other words, they could fire you for the arrest even if you aren’t convicted.
Here are some additional factors that wouldn’t work in your favor in this scenario:
- You have a public-facing role — With a public-facing role, your DUI arrest could receive publicity and backlash that could negatively impact your company.
- Your job requires security clearance — If you require security clearance because you have access to confidential information, you could get terminated, as someone having a conviction would be seen as less trustworthy.
- You are a commercial driver — A DUI arrest alone could be grounds for termination, especially if you drive passengers around. If you are convicted, many states will prohibit you from maintaining a commercial driver’s license.
Ideally, you should let your employer know about your arrest as soon as possible since you’ll have to take time off to attend court. However, your best course of action will be to seek legal counsel first and get professional advice before making any moves.
Meanwhile, it is in your best interest to avoid any other traffic violation. If you end up with a DUI conviction, your insurance rates will go up. Go to
Jerry
to find great coverage at an affordable price.Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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