Professional Drivers

Getting a traffic ticket happens to many drivers, but for professional drivers, the consequences can be much more severe. The stakes are higher for those in the driving profession, as mistakes can carry significant and lasting impacts.

If you’re a professional driver, maintaining a clean driving record is essential for protecting your career. Facing allegations of a traffic violation doesn’t have to mean the end of your livelihood. By enlisting the help of an experienced Uniontown criminal lawyer, you can fight to safeguard your record.

At Logue Law Group, our team of skilled and highly regarded defense attorneys has extensive experience handling CDL (Commercial Driving License) cases. Whether the goal is to get your charges reduced or dismissed entirely, our expertise can help you mitigate the consequences of a traffic ticket.

Investing in a capable Uniontown DUI lawyer can save you in the long run. Not only can it help reduce future expenses related to fines and insurance premiums, but it may also protect the job you rely on.

Rules for Commercial/Professional Drivers

Violating traffic laws as a professional driver can result in severe consequences, including points added to your driving record, hefty fines, and increased insurance rates. Worse yet, accumulating too many points may lead to a license suspension, a critical blow for those who depend on driving to earn a living.

Notification Requirements

If you hold a CDL, it’s mandatory to notify both your employer and PennDOT within 30 days of receiving a traffic violation. This rule applies even if the violation occurred in another state.

Penalties for Violations

The penalties for traffic violations vary but can escalate quickly depending on the offense and how many infractions are on your record.

For a first offense, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will suspend your CDL for at least one year if you are found guilty of any of the following infractions:

• Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) while your CDL is suspended, revoked, recalled, or canceled.
• Using a CMV to commit a felony.
• Failing to report an accident or fleeing the scene of one.
• Damaging property or an unoccupied vehicle with a CMV.
• Being involved in an accident that causes injury or death while driving a CMV.
• Driving a CMV under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
• Operating a CMV with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04 or higher.
• Refusing to submit to a blood alcohol test.

For second offenses, penalties escalate significantly, with the possibility of lifetime CDL suspension.

If the violation involves transporting hazardous materials, a first offense alone can result in a CDL suspension of three years.

Professional drivers must be aware of how serious these infractions are and how easily they can disrupt a career. If you receive a traffic ticket in Fayette County, a skilled Uniontown criminal lawyer can help you understand the situation and formulate a defense.

Multiple Violations

If you’re found guilty of two serious violations within three years, your CDL will be suspended for at least 60 days. For three violations within three years, the suspension period increases to 120 days.

Out-of-State Violations

If your CDL is suspended in another state, the information will be recorded in the National Driving Register, a database that allows employers and other states to access details about traffic violations. Pennsylvania will match the penalty by suspending your CDL as well. Even minor infractions can have a lasting effect on your driving record.

Seeking Professional Legal Help

When charged with a traffic violation, having a trusted attorney by your side can make all the difference. A reputable Uniontown DUI lawyer will thoroughly evaluate your case, recommend the best course of action, and advocate for your rights.

Protecting your livelihood should be a top priority. Don’t wait to act if you’ve received a traffic citation. Contact Logue Law Group today to work with a dedicated and knowledgeable attorney who understands the challenges professional drivers face.

For a free initial consultation with an experienced Uniontown criminal lawyer from Logue Law Group, call us at 844.PITT.DUI or reach out online anytime, day or night.

Logue Law Group proudly serves Fayette County, along with surrounding areas, offering comprehensive legal support to professional drivers and other individuals in need.