Professional Drivers

Getting pulled over for a traffic violation happens to many people, but for professional drivers, the stakes are significantly higher. When individuals who drive for a living make mistakes on the road, those errors carry a much heavier burden and can lead to permanent, life-altering consequences for their careers.

Instead of just accepting a citation, it is absolutely vital to fight for a spotless driving record. If you are ever accused of a moving violation, you should not wait to seek legal counsel. Securing the help of a knowledgeable Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can make all the difference.

At Logue Law Group, our dedicated team features highly respected and capable defense attorneys with a proven track record of handling CDL (commercial driver’s license) cases. Leveraging their deep understanding of Pennsylvania traffic laws, they can work diligently to get your charges lowered or completely dismissed.

Spending money on a qualified Pittsburgh DUI attorney is a smart investment. Not only will this decision help you avoid massive out-of-pocket expenses for skyrocketing insurance premiums and court fines, but it will also safeguard your primary source of income.

Rules for Commercial and Professional Drivers

Breaking traffic laws can cause points to accumulate on your driving record, lead to hefty financial penalties, and cause your insurance rates to spike. More importantly, gathering too many points will eventually trigger a license suspension, which is a catastrophic outcome for anyone whose livelihood depends on driving a truck or commercial vehicle.

Notification Requirements

As someone holding a CDL, you have a legal obligation to inform both your employer and PennDOT within 30 days of getting a traffic citation. This rule applies even if the incident took place outside of Pennsylvania.

Severe Penalties

If you are convicted of breaking the rules for the very first time, PennDOT is mandated to suspend your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for at least one year if you commit any of these offenses:

• Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) while your CDL is already suspended, revoked, recalled, or canceled
• Using a CMV during the commission of a felony
• Leaving the scene of an accident without properly reporting it
• Causing property damage or hitting an unoccupied vehicle with a CMV
• Being in a crash that causes injury or death while driving a CMV
• Operating a CMV under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driving a CMV with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .04 or higher, which is exactly half the standard legal limit in Pennsylvania
• Refusing to submit to a mandatory blood alcohol test

If you commit a second major offense, your professional driving privileges could be permanently suspended for life. Furthermore, if you commit any of these violations while hauling hazardous materials, your CDL will be revoked for three full years just for a first-time offense. Because these laws are so strict, it is critical to consult a seasoned Pittsburgh criminal lawyer if law enforcement issues you a ticket.

Additionally, being convicted of two serious traffic violations within a three-year window will result in a mandatory license suspension of at least 60 days. If you accumulate three serious violations in that same timeframe, the suspension period jumps to 120 days.

Out of State Violations

If another state suspends your professional driving privileges, that information is recorded in the National Driving Register, a shared database accessible to your employer and other agencies. Consequently, if a different state suspends you, Pennsylvania will automatically enforce the same penalty. Even minor infractions can severely stain your record.

Professional Help From a Lawyer

Facing accusations of a traffic offense means you need a steadfast and trusted legal advocate in Pittsburgh fighting in your corner. They can evaluate the details of your situation to determine the strongest defense strategy and work aggressively to protect your rights.

Never put your career at risk. The moment you are handed a traffic citation, you should immediately contact a trusted Pittsburgh DUI attorney.

To schedule a free initial consultation with a seasoned legal professional at Logue Law Group, contact us online or dial 412.387.6901 at any time, day or night. Logue Law Group is proud to serve Southwestern Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh and the surrounding regions, as well as clients in Ohio and West Virginia.