Traffic tickets can quickly cause disruption in a person’s life. However, if you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), even a simple moving violation ticket can wreak significant financial havoc in your personal and professional life. The reason is that if you hold a CDL you are in danger of suffering much more serious consequences with a ticket than others. A traffic ticket can have repercussions that endanger your career and financial livelihood.
The Most Devastating Commercial Traffic Tickets
Commercial drivers are subjected to the same rules on the road as other motorists. However, they must also follow more strict regulations that are aimed directly at individuals who drive for a living (and as such hold a CDL).
All traffic violations can cause repercussions for a professional driver, but below are some that can have even more devastating consequences:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and other controlled substances
- Driving with a suspended, cancelled or revoked commercial driver’s license
- Negligent driving that results in a fatality
- Traveling at more than 15 miles per hour above the speed limit
- Violating federal Hours-of-Service rules
- Driving a rig without the proper endorsement
Getting a traffic ticket for any of the above violations can carry many different consequences, most beyond a fine or points on your driving record. Even worse, they may endanger your driving privileges and career.
Although you must do everything in your power to avoid making these costly mistakes and getting a ticket as a result, getting a ticket is sometimes inevitable. Moreover, mistakes and misconceptions can easily lead to being wrongfully charged. You need an experienced and aggressive Central Valley CDL defense attorney to fight the charges and avoid the costly consequences.
Impact of a Traffic Ticket
The typical consequences of a traffic ticket include fines, points on your driving record, traffic school and license suspension (for the worst offenses). But the consequences are much more severe, and possibly permanent, for commercial drivers. Since the careers of commercial drivers are tied to the CDLs, the slightest traffic violation can put their work stability in jeopardy.
Depending on the traffic violation, commercial drivers can have their CDLs suspended or completely revoked. This revocation or suspension can last for months or years, or it may be permanent if the related offense was serious enough.
In addition to these most severe penalties, other traffic violations may still cost a commercial driver their job, as they are required to report it to their employer.
All of these consequences, makes it imperative for commercial drivers facing traffic violations to immediately consult with and hire a Central Valley CDL defense attorney to avoid a conviction.
Call an Experienced Central Valley CDL Defense Attorney
For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with CDL traffic violation attorney Gurjit Srai, please call us at (209) 323-5558.