A commercial vehicle lane violation occurs when a truck driver uses a prohibited lane.
California law restricts commercial vehicles to the right lane. They can use the second lane to pass.
On freeways with three or more lanes, the third lane and beyond are off-limits to commercial vehicles. Left turns and authorized U-turns are exceptions.
Penalties for a Commercial Vehicle Lane Violation
A paid fine is usually $238.
However, this also adds 1.5 Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) points to your CA driving record.
The DMV notifies the DOT FMCSA, which assesses Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) severity points.
Your employer will be notified through the Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program. This happens for any moving violation.
However, be advised that the DOT FMCSA requires commercial driver’s license (CDL) drivers to notify their employer in writing of a paid fine or conviction for a moving violation within 30 days.
Impact on Your Career
CA NOTS points trigger a FMCSA notification by the DMV.
The DOT FMCSA adds CSA severity points to your PSP record. These points stay for three years, unless your actions caused a collision, then they will remain for five years.
Each conviction could indirectly raise your carrier's Safety Measurement System (SMS) percentile. This affects fleet insurance costs.
A clean Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) record helps a commercial driver negotiate better pay and benefits.
Commercial Vehicle Lane Violation in Yolo County
If you receive a ticket in Yolo County, we can help.
We understand you can't afford to miss work or turn down cargo to sit in court awaiting arraignment and possibly return a different day for trial.
We can represent you in Woodland Courthouse. We work diligently for you to get a reduced “no-point” conviction with a fine only or eliminate penalties with a dismissal when possible.
Understanding CA Vehicle Code Section 22348 (c)
This section limits commercial vehicle lane use. CA VC Section 22406, Speed Laws, defines which vehicles are affected. These laws ensure road safety. They prevent larger vehicles from impeding traffic flow in faster lanes.
“A vehicle subject to Section 22406 shall be driven in a lane designated … or if a lane has not been so designated, in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, the driver shall use either the designated lane, the lane to the immediate left of the right-hand lane, or the right-hand lane for traffic as permitted under this code.“—CA VC 22348(c).
Yolo County and Your Driving Record
A conviction or paid fine in Woodland Courthouse in Yolo County impacts your record.
It affects your FMCSA and CSA scores. It can also increase your employer’s insurance costs, which could lead to your termination.
We can help you navigate the legal process of a commercial vehicle lane violation and, possibly, keep points off your CA driving record and FMCSA PSP to help you avoid penalties.
Why You Need Our Help in Yolo County
We understand the pressures commercial drivers face.
We work to protect your driving record. We aim to minimize the impact of any commercial vehicle lane violation.
Bigger & Harman, APC, is familiar with the Yolo County court system. We can help you resolve your ticket painlessly and efficiently without your presence in court.
Download our e-book, Protecting Your Commercial Driver License.
Consult Bigger & Harman About a Commercial Vehicle Lane Violation Ticket in Woodland, CA
If you face a commercial vehicle lane violation in Woodland Courthouse in Yolo County, CA, call Bigger & Harman at (661) 349-9300 or se habla Español 349-9755.
Contact us at or use our user-friendly contact form or email attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com. We’ll strive to keep a blemish off your clean PSP.
References:
The DOT FMCSA 49 CFR Part 383.51, Paragraph 6.2.5, Disqualification of Drivers.
The CA DMV EPN Program.
The DMV Portal CA Commercial Driver Handbook.