Commercial Drivers Tickets: The Risk of Losing Your Job
Posted on March 30, 2023 by John
When it comes to operating their vehicles, commercial drivers in California are subject to a certain set of special laws and procedures that differentiate them from ordinary drivers. Failure to abide by these regulations, which are in place to ensure the safety of all users of the road, may result in traffic tickets, among other consequences.
There are a wide variety of offenses that can result in a commercial driver receiving a ticket. For example, all drivers, including commercial ones, must adhere to the posted speed limits, traffic signs, and responsible driving guidelines. Failing to comply with these regulations, besides putting people on the road at risk, can result in severe consequences for commercial drivers.
Tailgating can be risky and raise the possibility of rear-end incidents, which is why commercial drivers are required to always maintain a safe following distance from one vehicle to another. Before changing lanes, commercial drivers must also indicate their desire to do so and make sure it is safe to do so. And when necessary, they must give way to other cars, bicycles, and pedestrians. They are also obliged to maintain proper logbooks that record their service hours and other information, as well as to follow weight and size regulations when transporting cargo.
These are just some examples of the many driving guidelines and laws that a commercial driver is mandated to comply with. Failing to do so can result in a ticket, and its consequences will depend on the severity of the offense and the driver’s history.
What Can Happen: Penalties You Could Face
Fines are a common penalty whose amount depends on the exact infraction and can be anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. In California, a driver’s license is also penalized with points for several traffic violations, meaning that the more points the person accumulates, the more expensive their insurance will be and the more likely it is that they will lose their license.
Commercial drivers may occasionally have their licenses suspended or revoked if they receive too many tickets or commit exceptionally significant offenses. For a commercial driver, this would be especially devastating since losing their driver’s license means losing their most important working tool. The impact on a driver’s livelihood and professional affairs may be catastrophic.
Notwithstanding the above, with the correct assistance of a skilled attorney, you will have the opportunity to challenge the ticket in court if you think that your commercial driver ticket was issued in error. You must enter a not-guilty plea and ask for a hearing while you provide your attorney with all the available information to prepare the best defense your case can have.
The Legal Help You Need
No matter what you are being charged with, you will receive highly skilled assistance from our legal professional with over a decade of experience on both sides of a California courtroom. The Law Office of David Leicht will go the extra mile to solve your legal problems and handle your case with the attention it deserves.
Don’t hesitate—to contact us at (760)-256-3104 or use our online form to set up a free consultation and put the power of an experienced attorney on your side.
Serving Barstow, Victorville, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Adelanto, Baker, Needles, Lucerne Valley, Big Bear, San Bernardino, Mojave, Phelan, Wrightwood, and the surrounding California communities.
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Barstow, CA 92311
