Protecting Truck Driver CDL’s And Careers – The Traffic Ticket Team
At our firm, Yonas & Phillabaum LLC, we help drivers from Ohio, and those passing through with speeding, moving violations, excessive weight, OVI/DUI, and more. Call us to discuss for free.
Although traffic violations are serious issues for all drivers, professional drivers (those with commercial driver’s licenses and other special driving privileges) have much more to lose: Not only will a traffic violation result in fines and other penalties, but it can also cost a CDL driver their job.
At Yonas & Phillabaum LLC, we understand that a CDL is more than just a driver’s license: It’s proof that you’re a professional driver and adhere to the highest standards of conduct on the road. If you require a CDL for your job, a traffic violation — on the job or off — can have a severe impact on your professional record. With 25 years of experience each representing CDL holders, our partner attorneys understand what it takes to get a traffic violation reduced or dismissed, where possible. Our top priority is keeping your professional driving record clean for your current and future employment.
Whether You’re From Ohio Or Just Passing Through, We Can Help
If you have been cited for speeding, OVI/DUI, exceeding weight violations or any other moving or nonmoving violation, the consequences can sneak up on you. Below are just a few of the potential consequences both CDL-related violations and general violations can have on your CDL:
- Loss of driving privileges if you are cited for a violation while in your personal vehicle and off the clock
- Loss of your CDL for a minimum of 60 days if you commit two traffic violations in three years
- A 120-day CDL suspension if you have three violations within three years
- Severe penalties if you fail to notify your employer of previous traffic convictions occurring outside of Ohio
- One-year license suspension if you are caught with .04 blood alcohol content (BAC) or under the influence of an illegal substance
- One-year license suspension if you’re caught carrying unsanctioned hazardous materials
- Lifetime revocation if you have two DUI convictions
It’s important to obtain representation from a lawyer who knows the local laws and courts and how they factor into the specifics of your case. At Yonas & Phillabaum, we will work with you to mitigate the consequences or pursue dismissal or, at the very least, a reduction of the charges against you.
Federal CDL Regulations Can Affect Your Career
State traffic penalties are only part of the picture for commercial drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees additional regulations that can impact your driving record, your employment opportunities and your ability to stay on the road. In many cases, fighting a citation instead of simply paying it can help protect your federal record and your career.
The FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program tracks safety-related violations and assigns severity-based scores. Violations can remain on a driver’s record for up to three years and may be reviewed by current and prospective employers through the Safety Measurement System (SMS). A traffic conviction can also appear on a driver’s Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report, which many trucking companies use during the hiring process. Reducing or dismissing charges can help limit the long-term impact on your employability.
Out-of-service (OOS) violations carry their own serious consequences. Ignoring a driver or vehicle out-of-service order can lead to federal CDL disqualification periods that are separate from ordinary traffic penalties. A first offense involving nonhazardous materials may result in a disqualification of 180 days to one year, while repeat violations can lead to suspensions lasting two to five years. These penalties can quickly jeopardize a professional driving career.
Federal regulations also require CDL holders to maintain a valid medical examiner’s certificate. Driving with an expired or invalid medical certification can result in disqualification, and certain medical conditions may affect a driver’s eligibility to operate a commercial vehicle. Keeping medical documentation current is an important part of protecting your CDL status.
Hours-of-Service (HOS) and Electronic Logging Device (ELD) requirements create another layer of federal oversight. HOS rules limit the amount of time drivers may operate commercial vehicles, while ELD systems record driving activity. Violations can add to a driver’s CSA record, trigger roadside out-of-service orders and negatively affect a carrier’s safety rating, which may also impact employment opportunities for drivers.
Federal CDL regulations involve much more than avoiding state traffic penalties. A citation or regulatory violation can create lasting consequences that follow you throughout your career. At NAPNAME, The Traffic Ticket Team helps commercial drivers address the underlying charges that can affect CSA scores, federal records and future employment opportunities. By challenging violations where possible, we work to protect not only your CDL but also your livelihood and professional reputation.
Contact Us Today For A Free Initial Consultation
When it comes to traffic violations and other legal matters, there’s no substitute for working with a law firm that has years of experience handling cases in the community where your incident occurred. At Yonas & Phillabaum LLC, we represent professional drivers in Ohio, including commercial drivers, cross-country truck drivers and others with professional licenses.
Often, we can make court appearances on your behalf, saving you trips to and from Ohio and time missed from work. From our office in Cincinnati, we help drivers nationwide who have been cited in Ohio. Call us at 513-388-8820 or contact us online by sending an email or send us your traffic ticket. We handle traffic law and CDL-related cases across Ohio.