CDL Traffic Ticket Attorney in Rockland County, NY
Fighting to Maintain Your Commercial Driver’s License
Commercial drivers are held to higher standards than other drivers because they operate large, heavy and often dangerous vehicles. As such, any violation of New York’s traffic laws could result in the loss of their commercial driver’s license (CDL), a central part of commercial drivers’ livelihoods. Without a CDL, these drivers will lose their jobs and suffer a host of personal and professional consequences as a result.
As much as I understand the strict traffic rules for commercial drivers, I also understand that no one deserves to lose their jobs and financial security because of a mistake. This is why the Law Office of Brian Berkowitz works diligently to minimize the impacts a CDL traffic ticket can have on clients’ lives. As a proven CDL traffic ticket lawyer with over 25 years of experience, I know what it takes to help my clients put their CDL traffic tickets behind them, where they belong.
I know what’s at stake in your case, which is why I won’t settle for less than the best possible outcome. Contact my firm online or by calling (845) 638-9200 to arrange a free consultation and learn more!
What Is a Commercial Vehicle?
It’s important to understand when a commercial driver’s license is required before learning what traffic tickets and penalties such drivers could suffer. New York drivers must obtain a CDL to operate the following commercial motor vehicles (CMVs):
- A single-vehicle with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
- A trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds if the gross combination weight rating is26,001 pounds or more
- A vehicle designed to transport 15 or more occupants (excluding the driver) or a bus
- Any size vehicle that requires hazardous material placards or is carrying material listed as a select agent or toxin
Commercial Driver’s License Traffic Violations & Penalties
Due to the high-level risks involved with operating CMVs, traffic violations are punished more harshly for commercial drivers. As such, serious commercial traffic violations may not be considered as serious for regular motorists, so keep that in mind when examining the following offenses. Example of serious commercial traffic violations include:
- Excessive speeding ( 15 MPH or more above the posted limit)
- Reckless driving
- Improper or erratic lane changes
- Following a vehicle too closely
- Traffic offenses committed in a CMV in connection with fatal traffic accidents
- Operating a CMV without first obtaining a CDL
- Operating a CMV without a CDL in your possession
- Operating a CMV without the property class of CDL and/or endorsement for the specific vehicle being operated or for the passengers or type of cargo being transported
- Operating a CMV while using a handheld cellphone or texting device
Like I mentioned earlier, commercial drivers must adhere to higher standards. This applies when they’re driving their personal vehicles as well. Thus, if a commercial driver commits the following violations in their personal vehicle, they could lose their CDL:
- Leaving an accident scene
- DWI
- Other violations involving drugs and/or alcohol
- Felonies involving a motor vehicle
If a judge finds that a commercial driver committed a traffic violation, they will lose their CDL for at least:
- 60 days for committing two serious traffic violation involving a CMV within three years
- 120 days for committing three serious traffic violations involving a CMV within three years
Besides losing their license and subsequent jobs for a certain period of time, commercial drivers are subject to losing more. Other CDL traffic ticket penalties may include:
- Jail time
- Fines ranging from $75 to $300
- Suspension, revocation or termination of CDL
- Added points to their driving record
Fight to Protect Your CDL With a Rockland County Lawyer Today!
Many of my clients with CDL traffic tickets come to my firm feeling like there is no hope. I aim to change that by leaving them better than how they came. To accomplish this, I analyze every detail of my clients’ cases, beginning from their initial traffic stop. From there, I can devise hard-hitting defenses and fight aggressively to preserve my clients’ commercial driver’s licenses, jobs and livelihoods altogether.
Your job depends on the attorney you choose to defend you, so choose wisely. I encourage you to waste no time in contacting the Law Office of Brian Berkowitz at (845) 638-9200 to learn how I can help protect your CDL!