By Ryan Tully with Open Road Drivers Plan
For commercial drivers, getting a CDL ticket on the road is more than a minor inconvenience—it can have serious consequences. Unlike a regular driver’s license, a Commercial Driver’s License holds you to a higher standard, and even minor infractions can affect your ability to work.
What Makes CDL Tickets So Serious?
When you’re a professional driver, a traffic violation can impact more than just your wallet. Here’s how:
- Points on Your CDL: Many traffic violations add CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) points to your record. These points don’t just reflect on you—they also affect your employer’s safety score.
- Higher Insurance Costs: Carriers may see you as a higher risk after a violation, and independent drivers can see increases in their own policy premiums.
- Employment Risks: Some carriers have strict policies on driver records. Even one or two violations can limit future job opportunities or result in job loss.
- Legal Complexity: CDL tickets often require court appearances and legal navigation, which can be complicated—especially across state lines.
Common CDL Violations
Some of the most common tickets issued to commercial drivers include:
- Speeding
- Logbook or HOS (Hours of Service) violations
- Overweight citations
- Equipment violations
- Failure to obey traffic control devices
Each of these can carry CSA points and affect your record for years. For example, a logbook violation might not seem major, but it can trigger audits and raise red flags during inspections.
Dealing with a Ticket
If you receive a ticket while driving professionally, it’s important to respond quickly and carefully. Ignoring it or just paying the fine can sometimes be the worst thing you can do—it often counts as an admission of guilt and permanently adds points to your record.
In many cases, drivers choose to contest the ticket in court. Having a local attorney who understands the laws and local court procedures can make a significant difference in the outcome.
Additional Considerations
Beyond the legal implications, there are practical issues to consider:
- Missed Work: Attending court means time off the road, which equals lost income.
- Travel to Court: If the citation was issued far from home, getting to court may not be feasible.
- Complex Regulations: Traffic law varies from state to state. What’s minor in one area might be serious in another.
Planning Ahead
Whether you’re an owner-operator or working for a fleet, it’s helpful to think ahead. Knowing your rights, understanding what’s at stake with different types of tickets, and having access to support resources can save your job and protect your career in the long run.
For many drivers, joining a legal service or drivers’ plan is one way to be proactive. These programs can provide access to attorneys, help with legal fees, and offer additional benefits like travel discounts or prescription savings—but the most important thing is to be prepared before something happens. Open Road Drivers Plan helps truckers like you protect your career, fight CDL tickets, and stay on the road. It is always worth it to be proactive and protect yourself before an incident occurs. With Open Road Drivers Plan, there’s someone in your corner.
About the Author:
Ryan Tully works with Open Road Drivers Plan, which provides CDL/CSA legal protection for drivers and commercial fleet carriers. We built our nationwide network of attorneys with truckers and carriers in mind, and have a great DATAQ team! Call me directly at (913) 348-3138.