The Fullerton Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI)/driver’s license Checkpoint on April 16th from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location.
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.
Commonly Used Checkpoint Locations
- Chapman Avenue: This is one of the most frequent locations, particularly near major intersections.
- 2500 block of E. Chapman Ave: Site of a recent checkpoint in February 2025.
- Eastbound Chapman Ave & State College Blvd: A historically consistent location for FPD operations.
- Harbor Boulevard: FPD regularly utilizes this major north-south corridor for saturation and checkpoints.
- Southbound Harbor Blvd (between Orangethorpe & Houston Ave): Reported by local traffic alerts as a set-up point.
- Harbor Blvd & Union Ave: A long-standing historical checkpoint location.
- Orangethorpe Avenue: Often used for both standard DUI checkpoints and multi-agency commercial vehicle enforcement.
- Orangethorpe & S. State College Blvd: Frequently used for “Commercial Task Force” checkpoints.
The Fullerton Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing, delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
A DUI for a CDL holder in California is often a career-ending event. Commercial drivers are held to a significantly higher standard; stricter limits and mandatory disqualifications apply even if you were driving your personal vehicle at the time of the stop.
Legal Penalties (Fullerton, CA / Orange County)
A DUI arrest at a Fullerton checkpoint triggers a criminal case in the North Justice Center and an administrative action by the DMV.
- BAC Limits: The limit is 0.04% if you are in a commercial vehicle. If in a personal vehicle, the standard 0.08% applies for the criminal charge, but any conviction triggers CDL sanctions.
- CDL Disqualification: A first-time DUI conviction or administrative “per se” loss results in a mandatory 1-year disqualification of your commercial driving privileges. A second offense results in a lifetime ban.
- Refusal Penalties: Refusing a breath or blood test at the checkpoint results in an automatic 1-year CDL disqualification, regardless of whether you are eventually convicted in court.
- Criminal Sentencing: Expect fines and assessments totaling $2,000–$4,000, mandatory DUI school (3–9 months), and potential jail time (up to 6 months for a first offense).
Impact on Employment
For professional drivers, the loss of the “right to work” is typically more severe than the court fines.
- No Restricted CDL: Unlike standard drivers, CDL holders cannot obtain a restricted license to drive commercial vehicles during their suspension. You are effectively grounded for the duration.
- FMCSA Clearinghouse: The violation is recorded in the federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. This record follows you to every future employer for at least five years.
- Immediate Termination: Most commercial insurance carriers will drop a driver with a DUI. Because a company cannot insure you, they generally cannot employ you.
Impact on Insurance
A DUI reclassifies you as a “high-risk” driver, with long-term financial consequences.
- Premium Surges: Personal insurance rates in California typically increase by 140% to 180% following a DUI.
- SR-22 Requirement: You must file an SR-22 certificate for at least three years to maintain any driving privileges.
- Loss of Discounts: California law requires insurers to strip “Good Driver” discounts for 10 years following a DUI.
- Commercial Uninsurability: Even after your 1-year disqualification ends, many commercial fleets will not hire a driver with a DUI on their MVR (Motor Vehicle Record) for 3 to 7 years due to skyrocketing fleet insurance costs.