What Santa Barbara County Drivers Need to Know
The new FMCSA regulations for CDL holders are changing how commercial drivers in California operate.
Federal and state agencies have tightened licensing rules to improve safety. While these updates aim to protect everyone on the road, they’ve also caused uncertainty for commercial drivers who depend on their CDLs to earn a living.
Stricter Rules for Non-Citizen CDL Holders
The new FMCSA regulations for CDL holders include enhanced verification standards for non-citizen drivers, including English language proficiency. The California DMV must confirm identity, residency, and immigration status before issuing or renewing a CDL.
“Until further notice, the California DMV cannot issue, reissue, or renew limited-term legal presence (non-domiciled) commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). Learn more here.”—The CA DMV online portal.
Additionally, the DOT FMCSA directed the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) to align the rules within its Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC). As the CVSA explains:
“The North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC) is the pass-fail criteria for inspections. The purpose of the criteria is to identify critical violations. Those violations render the driver, vehicle and/or cargo out of service until the condition(s) or defect(s) can be corrected or fixed.”
For commercial drivers who cross state lines, a lack of English language proficiency, documentation mistakes, no CDL or CLP, or missing paperwork can mean State and Federal penalties and lost driving time and income.
English Language Proficiency Enforcement
The new FMCSA regulations for CDL holders also tighten enforcement of English proficiency rules. Drivers must read and speak English well enough to communicate with law enforcement, inspectors, and understand road signs.
Failing to meet these standards could result in out-of-service orders when they fail to meet the requirements or driver disqualification for repeat offenses. For CDL holders in Santa Barbara County, that could mean driver disqualifications and losing the ability to haul freight on routes like U.S. Route 101 or Highway 154.
U.S. Route 101 is a major north-south highway running along the West Coast of the United States, connecting California, Oregon, and Washington. It runs through Santa Barbara County, CA.
Impact on CDL Traffic Violations
Under the DOT FMCSA regulations for CDL holders, even minor violations can have major serious long-term consequences. Citations for speeding, using a phone, logbook violations, or unsafe lane changes could lead to FMCSA penalties and/or driver disqualifications.
Every ticket matters. Paying a fine is the same as admitting guilt and could add CA NOTS points, which lead to FMCSA notification and CSA severity points and time-weight multiples that stay on a driver’s CA MVR and their PSP record for three years.
Local Enforcement in Santa Barbara County, CA
CHP officers along U.S. Route 101 and Highway 154 near Santa Barbara watch for CDL and FMCSA compliance. They routinely check driver documentation, weight limits, logbooks, and communication skills during stops or roadside inspections.
For commercial drivers, a roadside inspection under the new federal standards can quickly turn into an out-of-service (OOS) order.
Why Choose Bigger & Harman, APC?
- Superb rating from Avvo
- Free case consultations and evaluations
- More than a decade of legal knowledge and experience in commercial and traffic ticket defense
- Familiarity with law enforcement officers and the judges/staff at the Placer County Courthouse
We have been assisting commercial drivers with traffic violations in California for more than a decade and are members of the California Traffic Defense Bar Association.
Consult Bigger & Harman, the CDL Holders’ Traffic Attorney for FMCSA Violations
Before pleading guilty or paying a fine, CDL holders in Santa Barbara County should contact Bigger & Harman, APC. We represent CDL holders facing violations such as speeding, unsafe lane changes, cell phone use, commercial lane restrictions, and more.
We understand how the new FMCSA regulations for CDL holders affect drivers and how to challenge citations in the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Our team will request a dismissal when warranted, negotiate no-point convictions, help minimize penalties, protect CDLs, and preserve careers.
Call (661) 349-9300 — se habla Español (661) 349-9755 — or email attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com. You can also use our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Bigger & Harman regularly defends commercial clients in Santa Barbara County Courthouse, call for a free consultation.
Your CDL is your livelihood. Let Bigger & Harman, the CDL Holders’ Traffic Attorneys, help protect it.
Download our e-book, Protecting Your Commercial Driver License.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section
Q: What are the new FMCSA regulations for CDL holders?
A: The Presidential Executive Order (EO) concerning English language proficiency requires the DOT FMCSA, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), and states to tighten CDL requirements. These rules increase federal oversight of CDL issuance, renewals, and driver qualifications, especially regarding English language use and understanding.
Q: How do these new rules affect CDL holders and commercial drivers?
A: Commercial drivers face stricter checks during traffic stops, CDL applications and renewals, and roadside inspections.
Q: Can a traffic ticket lead to FMCSA driver disqualification?
A: Under the FMCSA regulations for CDL holders, violations can lead to out-of-service orders for lack of English proficiency, and repeated CDL violations result in driver disqualifications.
References:
The Presidential Executive Order (EO) concerning English language proficiency.
The CVSA North American Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC).
The DMV Portal CA Commercial Driver Handbook.
The DOT FMCSA 49 CFR Part 383.51, Paragraph 6.2.5, Disqualification of Drivers.