Whether you’re running long-haul routes or managing regional deliveries, knowing how to fight a speeding ticket with a CDL is critical to protecting your career and future income. A speeding ticket can threaten your livelihood, increase your insurance rates, and even lead to the suspension or disqualification to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). This is why you should never pay a speeding ticket without first seeking advice from a CDL legal specialist.
In this blog, we break down what you need to know if you get a speeding ticket, and why it’s so important to consider legal support like Interstate Trucker to help fight your ticket effectively.
Why Speeding Tickets Are So Serious for CDL Drivers
When you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), any traffic violation you receive — even while driving your personal vehicle — can impact your professional driving record. A speeding ticket is classified as a serious violation under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules if you were traveling 15 mph or more above the speed limit.
Two serious violations within three years can result in a 60-day disqualification, while a third offense within three years can mean a 120-day disqualification from operating a CMV. And each speeding ticket adds points to your CDL record, which increases your risk of disqualification.
CDL point systems vary by state, but here’s a typical point system for speeding tickets:
- Minor speeding (1-10 MPH above the limit): 2 to 3 points
- 11-20 MPH above the speed limit: 4 points
- 21-30 MPH above the limit: 6 points
- 31-40 MPH above the limit: 8 points
“Excessive speeding” is considered “reckless driving” in some states. Some of these violations can result in an automatic suspension of your license. And speeding tickets can drastically increase rates, sometimes up to 80% for serious infractions. Many carriers will terminate a truck driver for excessive speeding or for repeated violations. You also don’t want violations on your driving record when applying for a new truck driving job.
Why You Should Never Just Pay the Ticket
Inexperienced truck drivers often mistakenly believe that paying the fine and moving on is the simplest solution. However, paying a speeding ticket is legally an admission of guilt, which automatically results in the offense being recorded on your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) and in the FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS).
You may think a ticket is just a ticket, or you don’t have anything to worry about because you did nothing wrong. Here’s the reality: the law is about more than just right and wrong. It’s about rules, regulations, statutes, case law, and common law. In other words, it’s not the law; it’s the interpretation of the law that counts. This is why there are CDL lawyers and legal services who specialize in fighting CDL traffic tickets. Remember, only CDL drivers can lose their ability to make a living over a couple of traffic tickets.
4 Steps to Fight a Speeding Ticket
1. Read the Citation and Write Everything Down
After you have produced the documents requested by the officer, the officer writes the citation, and the officer has left the scene, you should write down every detail of the incident. Note your immediate surroundings and road markers, such as speed limit signs in the area. If there are any photos you can take regarding the reason you were pulled over, be sure you do so with a camera that has a time and date stamp.
Make sure you carefully review and understand the details of your speeding ticket, including:
- The exact speed recorded vs. the posted limit
- The location and jurisdiction where you were cited
- Whether the citation is classified as a “serious violation”
Understanding these factors helps you and your legal counsel determine possible defenses.
2. Consult With a CDL Legal Specialist
Not all traffic lawyers are familiar with the high stakes involved in commercial driving violations. A specialized CDL attorney, like those at Interstate Trucker, understands the unique federal and state regulations affecting CDL holders and can explore options to:
- Reduce the charge to a less serious violation (for fewer points on your CDL)
- Dismiss the ticket entirely, depending on evidence and jurisdiction
- Appear in court on your behalf, saving you time and potential lost income
Note that a CDL speeding ticket is not a conviction. A CDL law firm like Interstate Trucker specializes in fighting all citations, including speeding tickets. These specialized legal teams can look out for your best interests so you can spend more time on the road earning income.
3. Gather Documentation and Prepare Your Case
Once you begin working with a CDL law firm, your legal counsel may identify technical defenses, officer errors, or inconsistencies in equipment calibration or signage that can work in your favor to fight the speeding ticket.
Your legal counsel may request supporting documents, including:
- Dashcam footage
- GPS logs
- Delivery schedules or route plans
- Witness statements
Strong evidence can help disprove the speeding allegation or highlight procedural errors in the citation.
4. Avoid Accumulating Additional CDL Violations
While your current case is pending, it’s critical to maintain a clean driving record. Any further CDL moving violations can worsen your situation and increase the likelihood of disqualification or stricter penalties.
This is also a good time to brush up on best practices that can help you maintain a clean driving record. CDL educators recommend defensive driving practices such as:
- Manage your speed: Watch the speed limit and be sure to lower your speed if driving in adverse conditions, such as rain, snow, or ice.
- Maintain proper distance from other vehicles: Large trucks need additional space between vehicles to allow for safe braking and unexpected actions.
- Avoid lane changes: Avoid making lane changes unless absolutely necessary.
- Stay traffic aware: Always be on the lookout for a possible escape route for any potentially dangerous traffic situation.
Why You Shouldn’t Handle a Speeding Ticket Alone
Trying to fight a CDL speeding ticket without legal assistance can be risky. You may inadvertently plead guilty or miss opportunities to reduce the impact on your record. Additionally, attending multiple court dates can be disruptive, leading to missed loads and lost revenue.
Legal services such as Interstate Trucker have nationwide networks of attorneys experienced in CDL defense. They can represent you in any state, negotiate on your behalf, and work to protect your license and livelihood.
How Interstate Trucker Can Help
If you get a speeding ticket, Interstate Trucker provides comprehensive legal services designed for CDL drivers, including:
- Free initial consultation to assess your case
- Representation in court, including out-of-state citations
- Strategies to reduce or dismiss violations
- Assistance in protecting your employment status and insurance rates
With more than 30 years of experience and a dedicated focus on truck drivers, Interstate Trucker understands the consequences at stake and is committed to defending your driving career.
If you’ve been cited for speeding while holding a CDL, don’t wait. The costs of ignoring or simply paying the ticket can be far greater than you realize — from higher insurance rates to potential job loss or even license disqualification.
Learn more about how to fight a speeding ticket with a CDL and protect your future by visiting Interstate Trucker or call 1-800-333-DRIVE to speak with a legal specialist today.
