Instead of pleading guilty and paying the fine for a ticket issued on I-80 around Placer County, consider disputing an unsafe lane change in a CMV. Otherwise, it could have serious long-term consequences.
In California, the fine is about $238, but the bigger issue is what happens when the DOT FMCSA is notified by the CA DMV.
They consider an unsafe lane change in a CMV a "serious offense," which means your commercial driving career could take a hit if you're convicted.
Some drivers just pay the fine and move on, but that can be a costly mistake.
In this blog post, we will explain what this violation means and why you should think twice before paying the fine without consulting a CA traffic attorney.
The Consequences of an Unsafe Lane Change in a CMV
An unsafe lane change in a CMV is more than just a ticket—it’s a strike against your CDL.
The DOT FMCSA classifies it as a "serious offense." That means if you get a second conviction within three years, you will face a 60-day driver disqualification of your commercial driving license (CDL). For most commercial drivers that means no driving and no income.
If you already have an unsafe lane change violation—or another serious offense—on your record, it’s time to talk to a traffic attorney.
You’ll want to fight this ticket in court to avoid stacking up violations that could put your career at risk.
Disputing an Unsafe Lane Change: What Does the Law Say?
California law is clear about lane changes. Under CA Vehicle Code (VC) Section 22107, Turning and Stopping and Turning Signals:
"No person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after the giving of an appropriate signal..."
That means two things:
You need to make sure it’s safe before changing lanes.
You must signal your intention so other drivers who might be affected by your move know what you’re doing.
But here’s where things get tricky:
What if you had to make a quick lane change to avoid an accident?
What if a vehicle cut you off or debris appeared in your lane?
These are situations where an unsafe lane change might be unavoidable.
And what if no one was around to be affected by your lane change?
If an officer sees you move between lanes without signaling, but there’s no other vehicle nearby, is it really unsafe?
The answer should be “no.” But if you get a ticket in this situation, it’s wise to consult a CA traffic attorney about challenging it in court.
The Impact of an Unsafe Lane Change on Your CDL
For commercial drivers, an unsafe lane change isn’t just a simple traffic violation. It affects multiple areas of your driving record:
DMV Record – Besides the fine, you’ll get 1.5 Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) points on your CA driving record.
FMCSA CSA Score – Your Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) score will take a hit.
Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) Record – The violation stays on your record for three years.
Driver Disqualification – A second offense within three years results in a 60-day disqualification. A third? That’s a 120-day disqualification. Multiple violations will lead to a lifetime ban.
Fleet managers also pay attention to this.
A serious offense on your record can make it harder to find driving jobs because these increase fleet insurance costs and lead to more frequent DOT inspections.
Disputing an Unsafe Lane Change with a Traffic Ticket Lawyer
If you’ve been cited for an unsafe lane change in Roseville, Placer County, CA, don’t just pay the fine and move on.
That guilty plea will have long-term consequences on your driving career.
A traffic attorney can challenge the citation and may be able to get it dismissed or reduced to a no-point, non-moving violation. That could save your CDL, your job, and your reputation.
Don’t risk your livelihood. Contact a traffic attorney today to discuss disputing an unsafe lane change to protect your driving career.
Consult with Bigger & Harman About Disputing an Unsafe Lane Change in Roseville, CA
Instead of paying the fine, consider disputing an unsafe lane change in Roseville Courthouse in Placer County. Call Bigger & Harman, APC, at (661) 349-9300 or 349-9755—Se habla Español.
Use our friendly, easy-to-understand contact form or email us at attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
Download our e-book, Protecting Your Commercial Driver License.
References:
CA VC Section 22107, Turning and Stopping and Turning Signals.
The DMV Portal CA Commercial Driver Handbook.