If you have a commercial driver’s license, you have probably found yourself to be in high demand recently. After all, according to reporting from NPR, because of a perceived driver shortage, many trucking companies are willing to pay a premium to retain long-haul truckers and other professional drivers.
Still, if you lose your CDL, you may have to find a different profession. While you may expect to jeopardize your CDL by driving too aggressively or under the influence of alcohol, a speeding ticket may also put your CDL in danger.
A possible suspension
One or two speeding citations may lead to a two-month suspension of your CDL. When deciding whether to take away your commercial driving privileges temporarily, a traffic judge is likely to consider your speed, the posted speed limit and other relevant factors.
If you have a third or subsequent speeding ticket, though, you may face a suspension of your CDL that lasts up to 120 days. During this time, you cannot drive any vehicle that requires a CDL. Naturally, after the suspension ends, you also may face higher insurance premiums for the foreseeable future.
Some potential damage to your career
Losing your CDL is likely to be disastrous for your career. For example, your employer may decide to terminate your employment. Even if you are eligible for rehire, you may have to go through the application process again. Furthermore, if you change trucking companies, you may have to sit through some boring training sessions.
When it comes to maintaining your CDL, there is a meaningful difference between a speeding ticket and many other traffic offenses. Ultimately, it may be beneficial to negotiate a plea deal that does not result in an immediate suspension of your CDL.