If you’re a commercial driver’s license (CDL) driver in Roseville, CA, who has been ticketed for an unsafe lane change, it is more than a simple ticket.
Why an Unsafe Lane Change Can Threaten Your CDL
An unsafe lane change in a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) may seem like a minor violation.
The fine in California is only about $238 in Placer County, so it might seem easier and more efficient to pay the fine and keep driving.
But don’t be fooled—it’s a “serious offense” according to the DOT FMCSA.
A second conviction in three years could trigger a minimum 60-day disqualification of your CDL. Imagine not being able to work for two months. Would your employer wait that long?
Many drivers pay the fine and move on. But that short-term fix can cost you more down the line.
You should talk to a traffic attorney right away. They could negotiate a no-point conviction where you pay a fine only, preserve your CDL, and make it easier to negotiate pay and benefits with a clean Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) record.
Traffic Attorney for Commercial Drivers in Roseville, CA
Don’t gamble with your record. Here's how a traffic attorney for commercial drivers can help:
Appear in court so you don’t have to
Review the officer’s report and challenge inconsistencies
Push for a no-point, non-moving violation instead of a conviction
Protect your job, license, and reputation
No lawyer should promise to get your ticket dismissed. But we can often get you a better outcome than you’d get on your own.
Warning: Watch out for online services offering “quick dismissals.” Make sure your attorney is licensed in California and regularly appears in Placer County traffic court.
What California Law Says About Unsafe Lane Changes
Here’s what the law (CA VC 22107, Turning and Stopping and Turning Signals) says:
“No person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after the giving of an appropriate signal…”
Let’s break that down.
You have to signal continuously during the last 100 feet before making a lane change, and you must be sure the move is safe.
But here’s the thing: sometimes you’ve got to change lanes to avoid debris or a collision. If no other vehicle was nearby and you didn’t signal—was it actually unsafe?
Not according to the California traffic code and a traffic court judge should know that.
That’s not up to the officer—it’s up to a judge to decide. Still, never argue at the roadside. Sign the ticket. Save your defense for court.
Unsafe Lane Change: Real Impact on Commercial Drivers
The DMV assigns 1.5 NOTS points to your CA driving record if you're convicted of an unsafe lane change.
That goes straight to the FMCSA. It affects your:
CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) severity points get assessed.
Maintained on your PSP (Pre-employment Screening Program) record for three years and your employer’s DataQs and Safety Measurement System (SMS) percentile for two, or until you’re terminated.
Both will follow you for three years. And if this is your second offense in three years? That 60-
day driver’s disqualification kicks in. A third? You're looking at 120 days. A fourth? You’re out for a year.
That’s a long time to be unemployed and off the road.
Why Hire a Traffic Attorney for Commercial Drivers?
If you’re cited for an unsafe lane change in Placer County, don’t ignore it. Talk to a traffic attorney for commercial drivers in Roseville, CA.
An experienced attorney can:
Help you avoid a second “serious offense”
Keep your CSA and PSP record clean
Work to reduce or dismiss your violation
Give you a fighting chance to stay on the road
You’ve worked hard for your CDL. Don’t let one ticket put your driving career in jeopardy.
Need help now? Google “Bigger & Harman, traffic attorney near Roseville, CA, for an unsafe lane change on I-80.”
Free Consultation: Bigger & Harman, APC offers free consultations to discuss your case.
Or call now (661) 349-9300 for a free consultation—we’re ready to protect your CDL.
Download our e-book, Protecting Your Commercial Driver License.
Consult Bigger & Harman About an Unsafe Lane Change Ticket in Roseville, CA
If you have been cited for an unsafe lane change you’d like to dispute in Roseville Courthouse in Placer County, call Bigger & Harman at (661) 349-9300—Se habla Español (661) 349-9755.
Email us at attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com, or you can fill out the online contact form.
References:
CA VC Section 22107, Turning and Stopping and Turning Signals.
The DMV Portal CA Commercial Driver Handbook.
The DOT FMCSA 49 CFR Part 383.51, Paragraph 6.2.5, Disqualification of Drivers.