Five Ways You Can Lose Your CDL in Texas
If you make a living driving the roads and highways of Texas, you know how valuable your Commercial Driver License (CDL) is to your profession. Losing the ability to drive to a traffic violation or multiple violations would mean a significant loss of income and possibly lead to the loss of your job. If you are accused of any of the following violations, it is important that you contact a defense attorney who is knowledgeable about the ramifications and will fight for your ability to keep driving.
Top CDL Convictions That Lead to a Disqualification
Here is a quick recap of some of the common ways in which your CDL might be suspended or revoked:
- Driving while intoxicated - If you are convicted of a DWI, your CDL may be suspended for at least one year. If you were driving a hazardous materials vehicle, the suspension would be at least three years. A second offense would lead to a lifetime disqualification.
- Leaving the scene of an accident - The same punishments are enforced as a DWI. A first conviction means a one-year suspension, a three year suspension with a hazardous materials vehicle, and a lifetime disqualification for the second conviction.
- Serious traffic offenses - If you are convicted of two serious traffic offenses within three years, your CDL will be suspended for 60 days. Serious violations can include but are not limited to excessive speeding, improper or erratic land changes, reckless driving, and following other vehicles too closely. Three serious offenses within a three-year period will result in a 120-day CDL suspension.
- Railroad crossing violation - If you go around railroad gates when they are down or commit any other violation at a railroad-highway grade crossing, you face a 60-day CDL suspension for the first offense. A second offense within three years means a 120-day suspension, while a third offense within three years results in at least a one-year CDL disqualification.
- Vehicle is used in the commission of a felony - If you are convicted of using your commercial vehicle in the commission of a felony, you face at least a one-year CDL disqualification and will face a lifetime ban for a second offense. If the first felony involved the manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance you immediately face a lifetime disqualification from holding a CDL.
Contact a San Antonio CDL Violations Attorney
If you have a Commercial Driver License and have been accused of one of the violations above or any other type of moving violation, you need an attorney who will be your advocate and provide you with superior representation. Contact the San Antonio traffic violation lawyers at Law Offices of Sam H. Lock today. We will fight for you and your livelihood. Call us at 210-226-0965 for a
Sources:
https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/commercial-driver-license-cdl-disqualifications
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.522.htm#522.081
