For those who drive for a living, having and keeping your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is necessary to paying bills and providing for your family. Whether you drive a delivery route, transport cargo over long stretches of road, or provide much needed transportation services to the community, you need your CDL for your continued employment. Judges and police officers hold those with a commercial driver’s license to a higher standard, and they expect that you follow every traffic law to the letter.
Every traffic stop has the potential to not only land you a misdemeanor conviction, but also to lose your CDL. Not only do you need to worry about your actions while in your personal vehicle, but you need to take special care when operating a vehicle for your employer as well. Take a look at the following common traffic violations that could cause you to have your commercial driver’s license suspended.
Speeding Tickets
Do not speed in your company vehicle or your personal vehicle. Certain speeding tickets will have a drastic impact on your commercial drivers license. If you are caught driving more than 15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, it is considered a serious traffic violation. A single minor speeding ticket will probably not be the end of your driving career, but keep in mind that many employers have a point system and will terminate you for certain traffic violations or an accumulation of minor traffic violations.
If you are caught speeding, perhaps between 5-10 MPH over the speed limit, you could receive a ticket. All of those small tickets add up, especially in Ohio where you earn points against your driver’s license as you accrue moving violations. Any time you put your class D drivers license at risk, you also put your CDL at risk. As the holder of a CDL, more is expected of you on the road, and you want to make sure you follow all of the posted speed limits and drive safely. This is especially important in construction zones. When you start to rack up points against your driver’s license, you put your CDL at risk.
If you do happen to be ticketed for excessive speed, it is important to find an attorney right away. Work with a CDL defense attorney who can help prepare your defense. Remember, it is not just your ability to drive that is on the line. When the time comes to prepare a strong defense, you want to have a Columbus, Ohio CDL suspension attorney on your side.
In Ohio, reckless operation is a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property. This translates to any dangerous situation where you committed some sort of traffic violation in an unusually dangerous way, leading to an unusually dangerous situation. Understanding the consequences of driving recklessly is generally enough to prevent many from driving with a wanton disregard of the safety of others.
The punishments are two fold for those with a commercial drivers license. Not only do you risk your ability to commute to and from work, but you also risk current and future employment. Working with a Columbus, Ohio CDL attorney is crucial because a trained lawyer can help prepare a solid defense to any charges of reckless driving you may face. Every situation is different, which is why you shouldn’t wait to contact a CDL suspension defense attorney when you are charged with reckless driving.
If you have been charged with a moving violation in the past and currently have a suspended license, do not drive. If you are caught driving with a suspended license, the penalties multiply and you risk long-term damage to your driving record. This is why working with an attorney is so important. An attorney with a focus on CDL suspension defense will help you tell your side of the story and work hard as your advocate in court.
If you are driving under the influence and are convicted of an OVI or DUI, your CDL will be suspended for 1 year with no ability to drive a commercial vehicle. You can get driving privileges for your personal vehicle, but your career as you knew it will be on hold for at least a year. If you are convicted of any additional OVI/DUI charges, you will lose your CDL for life. This is why working with an attorney is so important. Finding the right CDL attorney in Columbus, Ohio can help you fight the initial charges and keep your license.
If you or someone you know is facing DUI/OVI charges with a CDL, contact an attorney to help prepare your defense. Not only will the attorney have experience with situations similar to yours, but they will also know the types of defenses that are most effective.
Hiring an experienced Columbus, Ohio CDL attorney can help you understand your rights. If you or a loved one feel your driving record may be at risk, it is time to take action and contact a Columbus, Ohio CDL suspension defense attorney. For your free and confidential consultation, contact an experienced reckless operation and DUI/OVI attorney at The Maher Law Firm. Call 614-205-2208 or contact us online today.
