Things are just not going how you'd like... You made a mistake and got behind the wheel after drinking, got a DUI, and now things just keep getting worse. You have to pay lots of money for things like bail, court costs, and interlock device fees. You have to spend lots of time at hearings, appointments, and AA meetings. But at least you can't lose your job for a DUI conviction... Right?

Yep, you can definitely lose your job because of drunk driving

Most employment relationships are "at will" meaning that a company can let you go for any reason as long as it's not due to something illegal (protected classes including things like race, age, gender, religion, etc). There are so many considerations, and ultimately it's up to your employer whether your now tainted driving history is going to cause a problem for your employment.

There are so many factors that go into this. What type of job do you do? Do you have to drive clients or co-workers? Do you drive a company vehicle or heavy machinery? Does your position require a CDL or other special license? Are you covered on the company's auto insurance? There are so many factors that will probably play a part in whether your drunk driving conviction affects your employment.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's important that you face your consequences in the process of trying to move forward. That unfortunately may mean adding "find new job" to your to do list.

Be positive: You can do this!

You must accept your situation and the consequences that come with it. You must admit your mistakes and be prepared to handle it very differently next time you’re faced with the temptation to drink and drive. But you shouldn’t linger in this dark place for too long. Try to stay positive and find ways you can improve your own situation and even to help others facing similar issues. You’ve got this! And we’re here to help in your journey.

Future employment: Be honest

Something you may not realize is how many times you’re asked “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” and similar questions on things like job and housing applications. It may be tempting to lie or partially exclude the truth. But being honest about your past is the best way to move forward. If you’re applying for a job that depends on your ability to drive, you’ll probably have trouble getting that job and may need to find other employment avenues. But if you’re applying for a job that doesn’t depend on your ability to drive, many employers will not exclude you from consideration – unless they find out that you lied to get the job.

You should also be honest with yourself. Was this drunk driving incident a one-time thing that you’ll have no problem avoiding next time the temptation comes up? Or do you have a drinking problem? Being honest with yourself will be important to get you the help and support you need to move forward.

Need interlock services?

Are you looking for a specific interlock device installation location? Smart Start of Louisiana has locations in cities such as:

Interlock in Alexandria | Interlock in Baton Rouge | Interlock in Bossier City | Interlock in Covington | Interlock in DeRidder | Interlock in Gonzales | Interlock in Hammond | Interlock in Houma | Interlock in Jefferson | Interlock in Lafayette | Interlock in Monroe | Interlock in Slidell

Contact us to book your installation appointment.