Tips for Preventing Commercial Trucking Violations 

 Posted on September 30, 2021 in Uncategorized

Commercial truck drivers are held to very high standards and work within strict but necessary regulations. Such standards and regulations are put in place to keep the truck driver and surrounding vehicles safe. To legally drive a commercial vehicle, one must obtain a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). When drivers fail to uphold their expected protocols and rules, that license may be temporarily or permanently revoked, and the driver may face expensive fines. Because roadside inspections are a routine procedure, drivers in this line of work should understand what precautions they can take to prevent CDL violations and avoid license revocation. 

How Can Commercial Truck Drivers Prevent Common Inspection Violations?

Truck drivers often suffer CDL violations due to not upholding accurate and current driving logs. This may include failure to record their driving status, falsely reporting their driving hours, or not retaining the record for the previous seven days. It is also important to note that drivers may be fined if their logged hours violate the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Hours of Service Rules. Drivers should be properly trained to understand what is required of them when logging their driving hours and be familiar with all service hour regulations. Additionally, employers should regularly monitor these records for concerns. 

There are several mechanical issues that may lead to CDL violations during a roadside inspection. Some of the most common issues are lighting, brakes, and tires. Commercial trucks should be consistently inspected prior to and after a ride for these types of mechanical failures. It is also important for drivers to understand and identify concerns such as brake adjustment and tire inflation. 

Revocation and CDL Violation Categories 

Generally, federal law divides the majority of CDL violations into two main categories: serious violations and major violations. Serious violations include infractions such as improper lane changes, excessive speeding, reckless driving, and any traffic violation that causes fatal injuries. If within three years, a commercial truck driver receives two serious traffic violations, their CDL may be revoked for 60 days. This revocation may be extended to 120 days if the driver incurs a third violation in a three-year time span. 

Major violations, alternatively, can lead to a minimum one-year revocation of a driver’s CDL. Major violations may include driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, and using a motor vehicle to commit a felony, among other crimes. Receiving multiple violations of this category may result in permanent CDL revocation. 

Contact Our Joliet CDL Violation Defense Attorney

CDL violations can severely affect a truck driver’s livelihood. Even when a violation is the fault of the driver’s employer, they will likely face the brunt of the consequences. CDL violation fines can be significant. Wages lost when licenses are suspended or revoked can be even harsher. If you are a truck driver facing a CDL traffic violation, it may be in your best interest to contact a Will County CDL violation defense attorney. At McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC, our team understands the consequences of CDL violations and the effect a license suspension can have on your well-being. For a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, call 815-727-0100.

Sources:

https://www.deeleyinsurance.com/blog/the-10-most-common-fmcsa-driver-violations-in-2020/

https://www.idealease.com/sites/default/files/pdf/Six%20Most%20Common%20Violations.pdf

https://keeptruckin.com/blog/driver-violations-how-to-avoid