For many people, obtaining a traffic ticket, or having their driver’s license suspended is an inconvenience. But for those who are required to drive for their occupation, losing a driver’s license or a commercial driver’s license (CDL) can have devastating financial consequences. National and state laws enforce strict safety rules on all CDL holders; being ticketed for a fairly minor traffic violation may lead to harsher penalties than for other people. If you are a CDL holder and have recently acquired a traffic violation, contact our office today.
CDL violations are classified as either major or serious offenses
If you possess a CDL, you are not given as many “chances” when it comes to acquiring moving violations as other drivers. While most drivers will not have their license suspended unless they obtain 16 points on their license, your CDL will be suspended for 60 days if you engage in two serious driving offenses within a 3 year period. Serious driving offenses include changing lanes improperly, driving 15 miles over the speed limit, texting while driving, or following too closely behind another vehicle. If three serious moving violations are cited within a 3 year period then you will be suspended for 120 days. The law also requires that you notify your employer of any moving violations you incur- either in your work vehicle or your personal vehicle- within 30 days.
Other major offenses can lead to the suspension of your CDL for one year for a first offense. These offenses include driving a commercial vehicle with a BAC of .04 or higher, refusing a sobriety test, leaving the scene of an accident, or driving with a suspended or revoked CDL. Multiple occurrences of these issues will lead to a permanent loss of a CDL. Driving with hazardous materials or operating an out of service vehicle is also an offense that can lead to losing your license from anywhere from 180 days to 2 years. However, it is important to remember that these are only the state laws. Your employer may choose to abide by stricter standards, and can fire anyone who does not maintain an acceptable driving record.
Hiring a Little Rock criminal defense attorney can prevent loss of employment
As with any other motorist, a CDL driver has the option of fighting any traffic ticket that is issued to him. Because maintaining a clean driving record is necessary for many CDL driver’s to keep their job, it is important to contest any traffic ticket you acquire- whether issued while on the clock or not. An aggressive traffic ticket attorney can also help you beat the ticket and maintain your driving record- preventing suspensions and disruptions to your employment. Contact our office if you have received a moving violation, and we will look into all of the angles to have the ticket dismissed. Our attorneys will examine the circumstances of your ticket, investigate whether or not you were legally stopped, and question evidence of any alleged wrong doing. By hiring an attorney, you can often prevent the loss of your employment and avoid losing financial opportunities. Contact our Little Rock office today.