You worked hard to get your commercial driver’s license in Washington state. However, nobody’s perfect, and traffic violations can happen even when you’re careful. You should know how your CDL can be affected by traffic tickets.
Impact on your license
Many people receive traffic tickets at some point in their driving years. Unfortunately, if you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), getting certain types or receiving too many traffic violations can impact your ability to work.
If you get a traffic ticket and avoid additional violations for at least three years, you can retain your CDL. However, there is never a guarantee that another ticket won’t come your way. Fighting your traffic tickets might be the best way to hold onto your CDL so that you can continue earning a living.
Serious traffic violations
Serious traffic violations can negatively impact your CDL and generate more tickets and points against your license. Some are very obvious such as driving under the influence (DUI) and reckless driving. Any traffic violation involving grave criminal actions like vehicular homicide can affect your ability to obtain or hold a CDL.
However, other traffic violations that are considered serious might surprise you. Speeding is often viewed negatively. It’s considered a serious violation when it’s at least 15 miles per hour over the legal speed limit. Tailgating, failing to yield and failing to stop are also considered serious violations that can result in tickets.
Failing to signal while changing lanes and distracted driving through cellphone use also count as serious violations. Any of these traffic tickets can count against your CDL.
Commercial trucks must not be over the federal weight limit, either. You could also get a traffic ticket for this violation, which is one of the most frustrating as you might be just over the limit and not realize it.
Fighting any traffic ticket you get might help you keep violations at bay and retain your CDL.
