You can get your pilot’s license if you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI). However, you are subject to disciplinary action, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will consider your DUI. If the administration has concerns that you will operate a plane under the influence of alcohol, it could deny your license request.
A Los Angeles DUI lawyer can help you deal with the ramifications of a driving under the influence charge. They can explain the disciplinary action you could face based on your charge. Your attorney could help you dispute your charge before it leads to a conviction.
Can You Get a Pilot’s License with a DUI in California?
The FAA could grant or deny your request for a pilot’s license in California if you were convicted of a DUI. It is your responsibility to disclose arrests and convictions when you submit your license application materials. If the administration deems it unsafe to let you operate an aircraft, it could reject your request for a license.
You could choose not to provide information about a DUI conviction, but doing so can be problematic. The FAA could discover you did not disclose this information, leading to a denial of your license application. Alternatively, if the FAA approves your application and learns about your conviction at a later time, it could revoke your license.
If you are worried about how your DUI conviction will impact you as you apply for a pilot’s license, request legal help. An experienced attorney can teach you about what California DUI penalties to expect after a conviction. They can provide recommendations to help you improve your chances of getting your license application approved.
Can You Continue to Fly an Aircraft If You Are a Licensed Pilot Who Has Been Charged with a DUI?
Generally, you will not be able to fly an aircraft until the FAA determines that you are again allowed to do so. If you are arrested or convicted of an alcohol-related charge, notify the FAA. From here, the administration may keep you from flying as it investigates the circumstances of your situation in depth.
The FAA could choose to revoke or suspend your license. Yet, when you work with a Los Angeles DUI attorney, you could dispute your charge. Ideally, your lawyer can prepare a compelling argument and build a body of evidence that prompts a dismissal.
Your lawyer can provide details about when a first-offense DUI can be dismissed. They could prove your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level was lower than the legal limit or other things that can make it tough for the prosecution to argue their case against you. If they succeed, your charge could be dropped, which may allow you to start working as a pilot again.
Can a DUI Affect Your Pilot’s License Renewal?
Your DUI could make it tough to get your license renewed. The FAA requires pilots to follow standards for alcohol-based offenses and other charges. If you violate any of these standards, the administration could have concerns about your ability to fly safely, which could force you to lose your license.
As you go through the pilot’s license renewal process, be diligent. You have 60 calendar days to report a DUI or any other alcohol- or drug-related motor vehicle offense to the FAA. Disclose your offense to the administration promptly, as failure to do so can have serious consequences for professional pilots.
Ask a DUI attorney in Los Angeles for assistance when you renew your license. Your lawyer can share details about the penalties for repeat offenders in California and how having multiple DUI convictions could impact the FAA’s decision to let you renew your license. They can also help you address any challenges relating to obtaining medical certification.
Can a DUI Prevent You from Obtaining a Medical Certificate?
The FAA treats a driving under the influence conviction as a “red flag” relative to a medical certificate. Your conviction indicates that you have dealt with substance abuse issues in the past. It can compel the administration to issue a denial of a medical certificate application.
To get approval for your medical certificate application, you must receive an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) assessment. In addition, you must disclose information about drug- or alcohol-related offenses. The FAA uses this information to determine if you have a disqualifying substance use condition according to its standards for abuse or dependence.
Ultimately, typical DUI penalties may be worse than you think and can damage your career as a pilot. A DUI lawyer serves as your legal representative and advocate. They understand what you will need to do to contest a driving under the influence charge and can help you do just that before it keeps you from obtaining medical certification.
What Should You Do if You Are a Pilot Who Has Been Charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol?
Meet with a DUI lawyer as soon as you can. Your attorney can discuss DUI strategies and explore ways you can disprove the prosecution’s case against you. They could provide share tips that could help you maintain your pilot’s license, including:
Report Your Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Offense to the FAA
Tell the administration about your offense even if you have not been convicted. In your notification letter, include details about the violation, when it happened, and other relevant details. A DUI lawyer can help you submit this report in accordance with FAA requirements.
Be Honest
Provide accurate information to the FAA regarding your blood alcohol content and other details relating to your incident. If the FAA conducts an investigation, cooperate with administration officials as they search for information from the time of arrest. Your attorney can help you give the administration it needs to evaluate your case fully.
Understand the Consequences of Your Actions
What you do during this time has far-flung effects, and you need to plan accordingly. Along with losing your right to work as a pilot, the police could issue an alcohol-related driver’s license suspension, and you could face fines, jail time, and other severe penalties. Partner with a lawyer, and they can explain these ramifications and what you can do to avoid them.
Treat Your Alcohol Dependency
If you are dealing with alcohol issues, now is the time to address them. Excessive alcohol consumption can impact your life, but help is available. If you enroll in treatment and recovery programs or take other measures, you can get your life back on track and minimize the long-lasting implications that come with losing a pilot’s license due to a DUI.
Evaluate Your Legal Options
Assess DUI plea bargains to fight back against a driving under the influence of alcohol charge. Your lawyer could negotiate a plea agreement that allows you to approve a lesser charge than what the prosecution initially sought. They could help you avoid an alcohol-related driver’s license suspension, loss of your pilot’s license, and other harsh penalties.
Do not wait to get help with an FAA DUI notification letter or other legal assistance. You can face mandatory penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol, and these can have long-lasting ramifications. With a lawyer at your side, you are well-equipped to craft an argument that could prompt a court to dismiss your DUI charge.
Let a DUI Lawyer Help You Deal with the Aftermath of Your Criminal Offense
The FAA will not hesitate to take enforcement action against you if you are charged with driving under the influence. Based on the administration’s standards for revocation actions, you risk administrative license suspension or losing your pilot’s license due to this charge. A DUI attorney can help you with license suspension proceedings and other aspects of your case.
Hire a Los Angeles DUI lawyer who has handled thousands of cases to assist you with your legal proceedings. Choose an attorney familiar with FAA regulations, and they can review your previous arrests and convictions and develop your legal strategy accordingly. Request a consultation with a lawyer who values the attorney-client relationship.
