For individuals who drive commercial vehicles for a living, getting a CDL speeding ticket can be ultimate devastation. In many states across the country, most trucking companies fire employees who accumulate more than just two traffic tickets in a single year. In order to protect your job and your license, it is important to avoid a CDL speeding ticket.
Keeping Your Record Clean
Any CDL violations will result in the loss of one and a half points on your Class A CDL license. CDL violations include:
- Exceeding the weight limit on specified roadways
- Exceeding a speed of fifty-five miles per hour with a trailer in tow
- Failing to follow logbook regulations
- Violation of downhill grade restrictions and speed zones
- Failing to follow lane regulations
- Hazmat spill
Many Class A CDL holders do not realize that even if they plead guilty on a CDL violation, it may still be possible to open the case again and have the ticket removed from the driving record. However, it is difficult, especially if you have sent money.
A Solution to Your Problem
Just a few years ago in 2007, records show that more than 680,000 traffic tickets were issued to CDL holders. Many were for serious violations that could lead to license suspension regardless of the number of remaining points on the license.
Unfortunately, your chances of being hired by a trucking company decreases when you receive a CDL speeding ticket. Truck drivers have to have to comply with all federal, state and local regulations in addition to having a valid CDL. Trucking companies invest a great deal of money into the training of their employees. Losing an employee due to overzealous law enforcement can cost a trucking company more than $8,000.
Even though there is a chance of reopening a CDL speeding ticket case once you have pleaded guilty, it is not advised. The best course of action is to fight for your innocence. Just because you have been charged with speeding in a commercial vehicle, it does not mean you have been convicted. No matter if you were caught by laser, caught in a speed trap or stopped by police with handheld radar, it is possible to hire an attorney who will help you defend your livelihood.
Legal Representation
Due to the transient nature of their job, Class A CDL holders often have difficulty making it to traffic court. In order to avoid addition ramifications from failure to appear charges, you should consider hiring a lawyer to handle your case. He or she will be able to appear in court on your behalf for any traffic violation. Often times, commercial drivers’ insurance companies appoint an attorney to represent the driver. Keep in mind that these appointed attorneys have to work with thousands of people all year long. With this type of representation, you can expect assembly line justice at best.
