Too many commercial drivers think if they just pay their trucking traffic tickets, they can keep driving with only a fine and a small rise in their auto insurance rate.
The Truth about Trucking Traffic Tickets
Too many commercial drivers are terminated after only one traffic ticket. What’s worse is that most high-paying firms will check their Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) record and CA motor vehicle driving record (MVR) for the last ten years.
Some fleets will take a chance on drivers with a less than spotless record; however, you often won’t receive anywhere near the 40 to 47.5 cents per mile paid by the top trucking firms. Plus, it’s doubtful you will receive a $10,000 signing bonus, such as Pride Transport is giving right now.
So, what are commercial drivers to do? You must avoid trucking traffic tickets, and when you get one, CDL holders must dispute the violation with a traffic attorney. Some truckers will ask, “Isn’t it more expensive to hire an attorney than pay the fine?” In some cases, yes. If the fine was all you had to worry about, you might be better off paying the traffic ticket fine.
However, there are negligent operator treatment system (NOTS) points, and mandatory employer notifications when you are convicted or pay the fine. In CA, you only get four NOTS points before the DMV will send you an Order of Suspension & Probation.
Granted, you can request a NOTS Hearing within ten days from when the DMV mailed the notice, and possibly get points removed or more leeway based on the number of miles you drove (commercially) during the year. Unless the majority of points were issued for violations in your private vehicle.
But that’s rarely the case. Once that moving violation goes on your PSP and MVR, you’re stuck with it until the three years are up and it gets removed. However, trucking firms are allowed to look back ten years for new hires and must check every driver’s record on the anniversary of employment.
However, a minor infraction for a moving violation in your commercial vehicle could mean a loss of tens of thousands of dollars in future income. Just look at the difference between the high-paying trucking firms and those rare firms that will accept drivers with a less than perfect record. You could have to start with one of those firms that pay $.25 per mile. And, you can bet the benefits are not great either.
Always consult a traffic attorney about any trucking traffic tickets.
Hazards Most Commercial Drivers Face
The number one hazard faced by commercial drivers is speeding. Law enforcement officers (LEO) somehow feel justified in stopping truckers for going four or five mph over the limit while allowing four-wheelers to whiz by at 80 or 90 mph.
After speeding tickets, way down the list are:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) violations
- Overweight trucks
- Wrong routes and missing maps for HazMat hauling trucks
- Missing or bad required equipment
- HOS rule violations (11-hour driving rule, 8-hour mandatory break, 14-hour on-duty rules)
- Following too closely
- Unsafe lane changes
- Designated lane violations
- Ill or fatigued driving
- Railroad crossing violations
- Illegal U-turns
- Bus driver violations
The good news is that Bigger & Harman has over ten years of in-court experience dealing with trucking traffic tickets to assist commercial drivers to “keep on trucking.”
Trucking Traffic Tickets in Riverside County, CA
When you get a trucking traffic ticket out there on I-5, 10, 15, or another, call Bigger & Harman, (661) 349-9300. Se habla Español (661) 349-9755.
We can resolve your traffic tickets for one low fee. We do not charge by the hour. Hiring an attorney that charges by the hour could multiply quickly because an attorney could sit in court for six or eight hours waiting for your name to be called. Choose a traffic attorney who charges a flat fee to resolve your traffic ticket.
Email: attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
References:
The 2019 CA Commercial Driver Handbook.pdf