CDL Traffic Ticket Lawyers for California Commercial Drivers

What a Ticket Means for Your Commercial License

California and federal rules both count against a CDL:

• Points count more in a commercial vehicle. Each point for a violation the DMV attributes to driving a vehicle that requires a Class A or Class B license counts one and a half times (VC 12810.5(b)(2); DMV Commercial Driver Handbook). Class A and B drivers who request a DMV hearing are held to negligent operator limits of 6 points in 12 months, 8 in 24 months and 10 in 36 months (VC 12810.5(b)(1)).
• Traffic school does not hide the conviction. A CDL holder’s conviction is never kept confidential (VC 1808.7(b)(1)).
• Serious violations lead to disqualification. Under federal rules, a second serious traffic violation within three years disqualifies a CDL holder from driving a commercial vehicle for 60 days, and a third for 120 days (49 CFR 383.51).
• Major offenses cost the CDL for a year or more. A first conviction for offenses such as DUI or hit and run disqualifies a driver from commercial driving for one year, or three years when hazardous materials were on board (VC 15300). More than one such conviction is a lifetime disqualification (VC 15302).

Some sections apply mainly to trucks and other heavy vehicles. The 55 mph limit in VC 22406 covers trucks with three or more axles, vehicles towing another vehicle, school buses and other listed vehicles, and VC 22348(c) requires those vehicles to use the designated lane or the right-hand lane.

How Our Attorneys Fight CDL Tickets

We start with the facts that decide how much the ticket can cost you: whether you were driving a commercial vehicle or your own car, the section charged, your record, and whether the violation is one of the federal serious violations. That tells us what a conviction would do to your points, your traffic school options and your CDL.

Then we defend the ticket in court and handle the court appearances. We take CDL cases from courts across California, because commercial drivers get tickets far from home.

Our attorneys have over 45 years of combined experience in fighting traffic tickets. Our Victory List shows 63 CDL cases listed as dismissed, as of October 8, 2026. Past results do not guarantee a future outcome.

Questions About CDL Tickets

How Does a Ticket Affect My Commercial Driver’s License?

In four ways. A violation in a Class A or B vehicle counts one and a half times the points (VC 12810.5(b)(2)). The conviction stays visible on your record even after traffic school (VC 1808.7(b)(1)). A second or third serious violation within three years disqualifies you from commercial driving for 60 or 120 days (49 CFR 383.51). And a major offense such as DUI or hit and run disqualifies you for at least a year (VC 15300).

Can a CDL Driver Go to Traffic School in California?

Sometimes. The court may allow a Class A, Class B or commercial Class C license holder to attend traffic school if the ticket was in a vehicle that requires only a Class C or Class M license. The conviction still stays on the record, but it is not added to the point count the DMV uses for negligent operator action (VC 42005(b)). A ticket in a commercial motor vehicle is not eligible for traffic school, whatever your license class (VC 42005(c)). Our posts on how commercial drivers may be able to do traffic school and why those tickets still appear on the record explain more.

Does a Ticket in My Personal Car Count Against My CDL?

Yes. The conviction goes on your record with its points, unless the court allows traffic school (see above), and traffic school cannot make it confidential for a CDL holder (VC 1808.7(b)(1)). Under federal rules, the first five serious violations in the list below also count when committed in a personal vehicle, if the conviction leads to the revocation, cancellation or suspension of your license or your non-commercial driving privileges (49 CFR 383.51).

Can You Take My Case If the Ticket Was Issued Far From Los Angeles?

Yes. We take cases anywhere in California, and CDL cases especially. Our Victory List includes CDL dismissals in Los Angeles, Kern, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin and Shasta counties. Past results do not guarantee a future outcome. See our county traffic ticket guides for the courts near where you were cited.

What Are Serious Traffic Violations for CDL Holders?

Federal rules list these as serious traffic violations (49 CFR 383.51, Table 2):

1. Speeding 15 mph or more above the posted or regulated limit.
2. Reckless driving, as defined by state or local law.
3. Improper or erratic lane changes.
4. Following the vehicle ahead too closely.
5. A traffic-control violation, other than parking, in connection with a fatal accident.
6. Driving a commercial vehicle without a CLP or CDL.
7. Driving a commercial vehicle without the CLP or CDL in your possession.
8. Driving a commercial vehicle without the proper license class or endorsements.
9. Texting while driving a commercial vehicle.
10. Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a commercial vehicle.

A second conviction within three years means a 60-day disqualification, and a third means 120 days. Our post on 3rd-lane violations under VC 22348(c) covers one of the most common commercial tickets.

Where We Fight CDL Tickets

Our office is in Glendale, and we defend CDL tickets in courts across Los Angeles County. We also take cases in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties, and anywhere else in California. See our Los Angeles traffic ticket lawyer page and our county traffic ticket guides.

Related

• County traffic ticket guides
• 3rd-lane violations under VC 22348(c)
• How commercial drivers may be able to do traffic school
• Commercial driver tickets with traffic school appear on the record

Protect Your CDL

If you drive for a living, a ticket is a threat to your income. Call (310) 455-6810 or contact us today for your free consultation.

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