If you drive for a living, your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is the lifeblood of your employment status. Having a traffic violation conviction in the state of Indiana can have far-reaching consequences for your ability to earn a living. Being represented by a team of experienced CDL traffic attorneys like those at Banks & Brower can make the difference you need.
CDL Suspension or Revocation
A commercial driver’s license can be revoked or suspended for a variety of reasons, including:
- Reckless driving
- Excessive speeding
- Changing lanes improperly
- Tailgating
- Two or three serious violations within three years
- 18 or more active points in two years
- Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .04 or higher
- Refusing a blood alcohol test
- Leaving an accident scene
In some cases, a second offense of certain violations can result in the lifetime revocation of your commercial driver’s license.
Employment
Even if your violations are not serious enough to warrant a suspension or revocation of your CDL driving privileges, your employer may deem them serious enough to choose to terminate employment. This is why it may be important to fight any citation and keep your record clean.
Commercial Driver’s License Limitations
Masking moving violation convictions for commercial drivers is prohibited by both state and federal law. This means that CDL violations and traffic offenses are not usually eligible for reduction to a nonpoint violation from a moving violation. While it is legal for certain offenses to be adjusted, others can’t be, so it can be necessary to challenge the basis for the issuance of the citation or attempt to have the ticket dismissed outright.
Type of CDL Violations
Commercial drivers are NOT eligible for specialized driving privileges in the state of Indiana. Every violation counts and must not be ignored. The following violations can have serious consequences for the CDL holder if not attended to proactively:
- Equipment violations
- Hours of service violations
- Exceeding local weight restrictions
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Logbook violations
- Seat belt violations
- Driving in the third lane
- Missing registration
- Mobile phone use
Many of these seemingly minor violations are considered serious violations for a commercial driver. Many drivers do not realize that paying the fine to get back on the road is not necessarily in their best interest. Don’t let your impatience hurt you down the line.
Across State Lines
Gone are the days of local violations remaining local. Modern technology means that even out of state violations can be transferred immediately to your local motor vehicle bureau (BMV or DMV). The judgments you receive in other states can be made a part of your CDL driving record. Your employer may be notified, as well. This means that you could potentially lose your CDL license based on violations received in states other than the state that issued your CDL.
CDL Complexities
Commercial Driver’s Licenses are regulated by both the state and federal government. This means that a traffic attorney without specialized knowledge of CDLs will not have the expertise necessary to navigate the complexities of the system. Your license is your livelihood so do not leave it in the hands of someone without the proper experience.
If you hold a CDL and have received a citation in the state of Indiana, having the combined 80 years legal experience of Banks & Brower on your side could be what you need to stay on the road. As former prosecutors experienced with the nuances of CDL traffic laws, we have a unique perspective that allows us to proactively counter the tactics and strategies used by local prosecutors. Contact us today so we can help.
