How a CDL Traffic Ticket Affects Your Driving Record and Livelihood

How a CDL Traffic Ticket Affects Your Driving Record and Livelihood

If you drive for a living, your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is your most valuable asset. But one traffic ticket—no matter how minor it may seem—can put your driving record, your job, and your future at risk.

Unlike regular drivers, CDL holders are held to higher standards under both Ohio law and federal regulations. Even a small violation can have major consequences, including disqualification, higher insurance rates, and lost employment opportunities.

Brian C. Morrissey, Attorney at Law helps truckers fight traffic tickets and protect their CDL. In this article, we explain how a CDL traffic ticket can damage your record and what steps you can take to avoid career-ending consequences.

Your CDL Record Isn’t Like a Standard Driving Record

While all drivers have points assessed for traffic violations, CDL holders face additional scrutiny. Every conviction is reported to:

• The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
• The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)
• Your employer

Even tickets received in your personal vehicle can impact your CDL and job status. That’s why it’s critical to defend against every ticket, no matter how minor.

How a Traffic Ticket Impacts Your CDL

License Points and CSA Score Increases

Ohio assigns points for moving violations. FMCSA also uses a CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scoring system. Even one violation can increase your CSA score and put your carrier—and your job—under the microscope.

Serious Violations Add Up Fast

Examples of serious violations include:

• Speeding 15+ mph over the limit
• Following too closely
• Improper lane changes
• Texting while driving

Two serious violations within three years can result in a 60-day disqualification. A third can mean 120 days off the road.

Your Insurance Premiums May Increase

Insurance companies review your motor vehicle report (MVR) regularly. A conviction for a moving violation—especially as a CDL holder—can cause significant premium increases or even non-renewals.

Employment Consequences

Many motor carriers have zero-tolerance policies for violations. One ticket can lead to:

• Reassignment to lower-paying routes
• Suspension or termination
• Trouble finding a new job due to red flags on your record

Don’t Let a Single Ticket Derail Your Career

For truck drivers, paying a ticket is the same as pleading guilty. That guilty plea will show up in your FMCSA profile and can follow you across state lines.

Instead, consider these steps:

• Hire an experienced CDL traffic ticket lawyer
• Challenge the charge in traffic court
• Seek reduction or dismissal where possible

At Brian C. Morrissey, Attorney at Law, we know how to negotiate with prosecutors and traffic courts in Toledo and Northwest Ohio. We’ve successfully reduced charges, avoided points, and helped commercial drivers keep their licenses intact.

We Defend CDL Holders Throughout Northwest Ohio

Our office regularly represents truckers cited in:

• Lucas County
• Wood County
• Fulton County

Whether you were stopped on I-75, I-280, or the Ohio Turnpike, we offer tough, smart defense for every type of traffic ticket.

Protect Your CDL with an Experienced Toledo Traffic Attorney

Your CDL is too valuable to risk. If you’ve received a traffic citation in Ohio, let Brian C. Morrissey, Attorney at Law help you fight back. We offer personalized service and aggressive defense for truckers across the region.

📍 Office: Toledo, Ohio

📞 Call: 419-830-7441

🌐 Visit: www.brianmorrisseylaw.com

📧 Email: brian@brianmorrisseylaw.com