• Meltzer & Bell
•   ›  
• Driving Violations
•   ›  
• CDL Holders

Traffic Tickets for Commercial Drivers in Florida

CDL holders are held to a higher standard, especially for traffic offenses committed while operating a commercial vehicle including a commercial truck or bus. If the commercial driver is convicted of a traffic offense, they might get their commercial driver’s license taken away.

Even if they don’t lose the CDL license, the CDL holder might lose their job or have problems finding a new job based on their driving record. 

Attorneys for the CDL Holder with a Traffic Ticket in Florida

With offices in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, the attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. represent the holders of a commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) in Florida after being issued a traffic citation. We know the laws that apply to truck drivers, bus drivers, delivery van drivers and other types of commercial drivers throughout Palm Beach County and Broward County, FL.

We understand that even if you are accused of a traffic offense while outside of work and outside of a commercial vehicle, your CDL can still be impacted. A traffic ticket issued in Florida can lead to higher insurance rates and a decrease in your employment opportunities. 

Regulatory Violations for Commercial Drivers in Florida

Our attorneys are well-versed in defending against trucking industry specific regulations including: 

• Equipment violations; 
• Logbook violations; 
• Operating a rig without the appropriate enforcement;
• Overweight load violations; and
• Truck lane violations.

Civil Traffic Tickets Issued Against a Commercial Driver in Florida

Civil traffic infractions that can impact the holder of a commercial driver’s license can include: 

• Texting while operating a commercial vehicle;
• Careless driving;
• Speeding;
• Improper lane change;
• Improper passing;
• Following too closely;
• Tailgating another vehicle;
• Making an improper right or left-hand turn;
• Improper U-turn
• Running a red light; and
• Not stopping at a stop sign; 

Defending a CDL Holder Charged with a Criminal Traffic Crime

Criminal traffic crimes that can impact a person with a commercial driver’s license can include:

• DUI for a CDL;
• Attempting to flee or elude an officer;
• Driving without insurance;
• Refusing to take a breath, blood or urine test after a DUI arrest;
• Reckless driving;
• Hit and Run;
• Leaving the scene of a crash with property damage but no injury;
• Leaving the scene of a crash with personal injury or serious bodily injury;
• Driving on a suspended license;
• Operating a commercial driver’s license without a valid CDL; and
• Possession or distribution of a controlled substance.  

For certain types of traffic infractions committed by commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders and commercial driver license (CDL) holders, federal rules and regulations prohibit the State of Florida from masking a conviction, deferring imposition of judgment, or allowing enrollment in a diversion program. See 49 C.F.R. 384.226 on the FMCSA website.

Under these federal rules and regulations, a state is prohibited from allowing a CLP holder or CDL holder that has received a traffic citation from attending driver improvement school to have adjudication of guilt withheld by a court. Having a withhold of adjuciation is considered to be "masking a conviction."

Florida law prohibits a CDL holder from attending driver improvement school and electing to have a withhold of adjudication in the following instances:

• driving with a suspended license;
• driving without a valid license;
• driving without a valid registration; and
• driving without valid proof of insurance.

Finding Traffic Ticket Attorneys for CDL Holders in Florida

With offices in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, FL, the attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. provide an aggressive defense to any CDL holder in Florida. We representing truck drivers, bus drivers, delivery van drivers, limo drivers and other commercial drivers against any charges that can impact their driving record or CDL. 

We fight CDL violations in Broward County and Palm Beach County, FL. Call (561) 557-8686 today to discuss your case. 

This article was last updated on Monday, November 7, 2016.