Securing a commercial driver’s license (CDL) opens up a world of professional opportunities. Those who want to drive semi-trucks, school buses or other commercial vehicles typically need to obtain a CDL. They attend special courses and must pass an in-depth test to prove that they understand the law and how to safely operate commercial vehicles.
They must then ensure that they continue to meet the qualifying standards for retaining a CDL and driving in a professional capacity. Certain types of traffic offenses can cost a professional their CDL. Excessive speeding, leaving the scene of a recent crash and impaired driving are all offenses that can automatically render a driver ineligible for a CDL.
Other, less severe infractions can lead to CDL ineligibility after multiple citations or can lead to companies choosing not to hire a driver. Professionals who want to preserve their CDLs may need help fighting a citation that they recently received.
Drivers can successfully fight tickets
Many people despair of fighting traffic tickets. They operate under the assumption that if it is their word against the police officer’s, then their conviction for the traffic offense is all but inevitable. In reality, many motorists with appropriate legal support successfully defend against pending traffic citations. How they do so depends on the nature of the citation and what evidence the state has.
Factors ranging from extenuating circumstances to inadequate state evidence can help motorists defend against traffic tickets. It may be possible to explain behavior that seemed inappropriate or raise questions about how a police officer viewed the situation.
Attorneys who assist commercial drivers with traffic citation cases can sometimes convince the state to drop the issue entirely or reduce the severity of the citation issues to ensure that a professional’s CDL is not at risk. The best strategy to use when responding to traffic citations as a transportation professional depends on the driving record of the motorist and other unique details.
Choosing to respond to a citation by fighting it in court instead of paying a ticket is often the best option for a professional recently issued a traffic citation. Professional drivers who fight traffic tickets may be able to preserve their CDLs and maintain their primary source of income.
