A commercial truck driver of an 18-wheeler truck is required to have a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in order to operate their vehicle. The truck is considered a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) and falls under the federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986. This act allows individual states to issue truck driver's licenses with their own unique criteria -- keeping in mind of course the minimum CMV federal standards for all states.
Truckers do not need to receive a separate federal license in order to operate their vehicles, but all drivers involved in intrastate, interstate or foreign commerce must comply. These requirements are implemented in an effort to help reduce the number of semi truck accidents that happen on our roads today.
Stricter Requirements May Reduce Semi Truck Accidents
The Patriot Act of 2001 included additional requirements for CDL holders who transport hazardous materials. In 2002, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) outlined further guidelines that commercial truck drivers must follow in order to avoid disqualification. This action was taken not only for terrorist threats but to help reduce the number of semi truck accidents.
There are literally millions of drivers who have qualified for a CDL, and thousands of them have been disqualified from driving large commercial vehicles. The reasons behind these disqualifications are varied. In Texas, for example, truck drivers face disqualification for a year after one conviction or up to life after two convictions for:
- Leaving the scene of an accident - Committing a felony while using a vehicle - Causing a fatality by negligent operation of a commercial vehicle - Being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs - Refusing an alcohol test
Also in Texas, a CDL can be disqualified for 60-120 days based on two or more convictions for serious traffic violations in any type of vehicle within a three-year period. Such convictions include:
- Violating a traffic control law in connection with a fatal accident - Tailgating or following another vehicle too closely - Speeding more than 15 mph over the posted limit - Improper lane changes or otherwise erratic driving
Trucks With Hazardous Material Receive Additional Restrictions
Due to the high stakes involved with a semi truck accident involving hazardous material, drivers must have an additional HazMat Endorsement, or HME. Commercial truck drivers transporting hazardous materials must pass a security threat assessment to receive their HME. The HME also is subject to disqualification, but based on different criteria.
Permanent HME disqualification can be a direct result of treason, sedition, terrorism and the improper transportation of hazardous materials. Interim HME disqualification results from truck drivers being convicted of robbery, immigration violations, arson and smuggling.
Conviction In One State Is Enough
A driver convicted in a semi truck accident out-of-state is treated the same as a conviction for violations in the home state. Thus, a driver can be disqualified in his or her home state based on convictions elsewhere.
A lifetime disqualification can be reduced to a minimum 10-year disqualification period, however, if the driver finishes a state-approved driver rehabilitation program.
Drivers who have been disqualified from driving a CMV cannot be issued a "hardship" or "conditional" CDL or any other form of limited driver's license allowing them to continue to drive a CMV. A driver who's been disqualified from having a CMV license, however, may be issued a license to operate non-CMVs.
Are you the one who wants to get rid of tickets without the help of any legal representative in California? Tickets can surely be reduced or dismissed in California.
However, if the violation of the law leads the Commercial Drivers to court he/she must appear on the date of trial. The judge is then called for the case. The witness would give the statement against the Commercial Driver first and then the matter would be ruled in the court. At the end of the trial, if the Commercial Driver was found not-guilty then the deposit of bail would be returned within two months.
Hey, there is good news for commercial drivers in California! Tickets of commercial drivers can be reduced or even be dismissed. Commercial drivers might not need to go to traffic schools for keeping points off their record. Tickets are sure to get reduced or dismissed. So, need to worry.
However, if the Commercial Driver was found guilty after the trial then a fine would be imposed. The fine won't exceed the bail amount of the deposit. Sometimes the judge also finds a defendant guilty and the fine is suspended. This indicates that money for the bail would be returned. However, a conviction would be shown on the driving record. The judge can also change the violation to a coasting violation which will carry no point on the driving record. If the Commercial Driver wants to change the date of trial, they can do this only once. The new date must be approved with the court by sending a letter or calling of at least 10 days prior to the date of trial. The trial only takes a very short time, but you may be in court up to 3 hours.
Sometimes it becomes necessary for the defense to have a witness. The Commercial Driver must make the witness appear if the case demands it. Photos, reports, diagrams or any other evidence that can be presented at the time of trial must be brought. The violations would however be dismissed if the witness against the Commercial Driver doesn't appear in the court during the time of the trial.
Now how do you dismiss or reduce the speeding ticket in court? Are you aware that only 3 percent of the offenders actually end up in court to contest a traffic ticket? Most feel it is faster and easier to pay the speeding ticket. The web provides all kinds of assistance in such instances. Online advice can be found about how to dismiss the traffic ticket in court. Many free advice sites are present to help you work it out.
But if you want to get the best service then ClassADriversDismissYourTicket.com, a service provided by ticketbust.com, should be your place. Visit ClassADriversDismissYourTicket.com to know all about dismissing tickets for commercial drivers including speeding tickets. It is a service designed especially for the purpose of helping commercial drivers. The service even has a money-back guarantee for commercial drivers if the speeding ticket is not dismissed or reduced. No attorney or book can promise this! However if you want to know more about the service then either visit the website or call 800-850-8038.
Both Christine Okelly & Steven F. Miller are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Christine Okelly has sinced written about articles on various topics from Disease & illness, Finances and Accident Lawyers. Christine O'Kelly is an author for , an organization of legal representatives specializing in helping clients that have been involved in. Christine Okelly's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.
Steven F. Miller has sinced written about articles on various topics from Truck Driver. Steven F. Miller is author of this article on . Find more information about. Steven F. Miller's top article generates over 590 views. to your Favourites.