Commercial drivers should consult a commercial driver’s license (CDL) speeding ticket lawyer when they need assistance resolving their ticket in Woodland Courthouse in Yolo County, CA.
When you get a speeding ticket while driving a commercial vehicle, it’s important to know your rights and the possible consequences. Understanding how a CDL speeding ticket can affect your driving record and career is essential, especially in Woodland, CA.
The Consequences of a CDL Speeding Ticket
If you pay the fine for a commercial speeding violation, you’ll receive 1.5 NOTS (Negligent Operator Treatment System) points.
These points are sent to the CA DMV, which then informs the DOT FMCSA.
You must notify your employer of any moving violations within 30 days, although the DMV will also notify them through the Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program. This process applies to all CDL holders, regardless of where the violation took place.
The Driver’s License Compact requires each state, including some Canadian and Mexican provinces, to notify the home state DMV of convictions and failures to appear for traffic tickets in their state.
How a Conviction Impacts Your CDL and PSP
A commercial speeding ticket can have a significant financial impact, often costing between $238 and $800, depending on your speed. However, the real issue lies in the points added to your record. Each point increases the repercussions for both you and your carrier.
At the DOT FMCSA, these points also affect your carrier’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) percentile. This percentile is crucial for determining fleet insurance premiums, with higher numbers leading to higher insurance costs. This can influence your employer’s operations and, potentially, your employment.
Additionally, carriers with SMS percentiles of 75 or higher will have all vehicles using their DOT number pulled into open weigh stations.
Those with percentiles between 51 and 74 are considered “marginal” and may also face more frequent inspections, which can cause delays and disrupt driving schedules.
Long-Term Effects on Your Career
The consequences of a commercial speeding ticket go beyond fines and inspections. A conviction or paid fine will stay on your Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) record for three years. Maintaining a clean driving record is critical when negotiating your pay-per-mile rate and benefits.
Recruiting fleets consider your PSP record when hiring. A single speeding ticket can hurt your chances of securing a job with higher pay or better opportunities. Employers prefer drivers with spotless records for safety and reliability.
Why You Should Hire a CDL Speeding Ticket Lawyer
Handling a CDL speeding ticket on your own can be difficult. As a commercial driver, taking time off to challenge a speeding ticket in Woodland Traffic Court is not always possible or practical. This is where a skilled CDL speeding ticket lawyer can make a difference.
Hiring a CDL speeding ticket lawyer in Woodland, CA, can help you avoid court appearances and possibly reduce or eliminate the charges. A
A CDL speeding ticket attorney experienced in traffic law will fight to protect your driving record and ensure you can keep driving without interruptions.
Why a CDL Speeding Ticket Attorney is Essential
When you receive a commercial vehicle speeding ticket, consulting a CDL speeding ticket attorney is one of the smartest moves you can make.
With professional legal counsel, you have a better chance of reducing penalties, keeping points off your record, and minimizing the overall impact on your career.
An experienced attorney can represent you in court, allowing you to stay on the road and focus on your work without unnecessary delays.
A clean Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) record is vital for negotiating a high-paying job with better benefits.
Keeping your CDL and driving record clean is essential for your career and livelihood. By working with a CDL speeding ticket lawyer, you can safeguard both.
Commercial drivers accused of speeding should always consult a CDL speeding ticket lawyer before paying the fine to avoid employer, California, and DOT FMCSA sanctions.
Consult Bigger & Harman, CDL Speeding Ticket Lawyers, for Woodland Courthouse in Yolo County, CA
If you need the assistance of a CDL speeding ticket lawyer in Woodland Courthouse, call Bigger & Harman, (661) 349-9300—Se habla Español 349-9755.
One of our Yolo County CDL speeding ticket lawyers could dispute your ticket without requiring your presence in court. That means you can go about your business as usual.
Use their user-friendly contact form or email attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
References:
CA Vehicle Code Section 22406 & 22406.1, Other Speed Laws.
The DMV Portal CA Commercial Driver Handbook.
The FMCSA CFR 49 Part 383.51, Driver Disqualifications.