Will a DWI in New Jersey Cost You Your Job? Here’s What You Need to Know
A conviction for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in New Jersey can lead to fines, license suspension, and even jail—but the consequences don’t end there. One of the most overlooked (and damaging) outcomes of a DWI is the impact it can have on your employment.
Whether you’re a licensed professional, a transportation worker, or someone applying for a job, a DWI conviction can trigger mandatory disqualifications or raise serious concerns with current or potential employers.
1. Professional and Occupational Disqualifications
New Jersey law imposes specific restrictions on employment in certain regulated fields following a DWI conviction:
- Livery Transportation Services: Under N.J.A.C. 10:50-1.10(d)(1), a DWI conviction disqualifies you from working as a driver for any livery transportation service (e.g., taxis, limos, rideshare platforms under state contracts).
- Defensive Driving Instructors & Online Course Providers: If you are a defensive driving course instructor or operate an online defensive driving program, a DWI conviction will bar you from certification under N.J.A.C. 13:21-24.4(a) and (b).
- Motorcycle Rider Coaches: Per N.J.A.C. 13:85-6.1(a), individuals convicted of DWI are prohibited from serving as motorcycle safety education rider coaches, regardless of past credentials or teaching history.
2. CDL and Driving-Related Jobs
If you hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a DWI is devastating:
- Mandatory one-year disqualification (even for a first offense)
- Zero tolerance BAC threshold (0.04%)
- Possible job loss if driving is essential to your position
This includes truck drivers, bus operators, and delivery personnel.
3. Employers’ Right to Terminate or Deny Employment
Many employers conduct background checks that include both criminal and motor vehicle records. A DWI conviction may:
- Violate your company’s morality or safety policy
- Disqualify you from insurance coverage for a driving-related role
- Result in suspension or revocation of professional licenses
- Reduce chances of future employment in law enforcement, healthcare, education, or government
What Can You Do?
If you’re facing a DWI charge, it’s not just your license that’s at stake—it’s your livelihood. The good news? There are legal strategies to:
- Challenge the validity of the stop or breath test
- Fight for reduced charges (e.g., reckless driving or downgrade to municipal ordinance)
- Mitigate penalties to avoid professional fallout
Don’t Risk Your Career. Call a DWI Defense Attorney Today
At Beninato & Matrafajlo, we understand that a DWI conviction doesn’t just affect your driving record—it can jeopardize your entire career. We work aggressively to protect your rights, challenge evidence, and fight for outcomes that keep you working and moving forward.
Call us today at (908) 355-7100 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. Your job is worth defending—let us help you do it.
Dan T. Matrafajlo, Esq. is the Managing Member and Lead Partner at Beninato & Matrafajlo, Attorneys at Law, LLC, a New Jersey-based personal injury law firm with offices in Elizabeth and East Brunswick. With over two decades of experience representing clients in complex matters—including motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, and wrongful death cases—he has recovered over $100 million on behalf of his clients and is known for securing significant results. He has also helped shape New Jersey personal injury law through notable Appellate Division decisions such as Hardison v. King and Frenklakh v. Lojek, with his litigation work featured in the New Jersey Law Journal, underscoring his authority in the field.
Mr. Matrafajlo was recognized as a Super Lawyers® Rising Stars honoree from 2012 to 2017 and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum—an honor reserved for attorneys who have achieved multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Combining deep legal expertise with a client-focused approach, he provides strategic, results-driven representation while guiding clients through every stage of the legal process. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and is admitted to practice in both New Jersey and New York.
