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Driving specialized vehicles like trucks or buses requires advanced skills and knowledge beyond those needed to drive a car. 

As a commercial driver, you are also subject to strict regulations and you will need an experienced attorney to help you fight your CDL tickets. Find out everything you need to know about commercial driver’s licenses below and see our roundup of the best CDL lawyers in New York. 

What Is a CDL License?

A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is a driver’s license required to operate specialized types of vehicles such as buses, trucks, and tractor-trailers. The use of CDL helps improve highway safety, ensuring that drivers are qualified to operate the vehicles. 

In New York State, anyone driving a vehicle over 26,001 pounds, designed to carry hazardous materials, or carrying 16 or more passengers must hold a commercial driver’s license. Under the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act, it’s illegal to have more than one driver’s license—once you get a CDL, you must give up your regular New York driver’s license.

Types of CDL licenses

There are three different types of commercial driver’s licenses: 

Class A CDL (the most common type)

• Tractor-trailers and flatbeds
• Tractor-trailer buses
• Truck and trailer combinations
• Livestock carriers
• Tanker vehicles

Class B CDL

• Straight trucks
• City buses
• Tourist buses
• Segmented buses
• School buses
• Couriers
• Delivery trucks
• Furniture delivery trucks
• Dump trucks with small trailers

Class C CDL

• Passenger vans
• Small hazardous material (HAZMAT) vehicles
• Small trucks towing a trailer

CDL traffic violations

Violating CDL restrictions in the State of New York can result in the suspension and, in some cases, revocation of your driver’s license. 

Some offenses are considered a serious violation, for example, driving a commercial motor vehicle without a CDL, speeding, using a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony, or any traffic violations involving a fatal traffic accident. If convicted you’ll not only risk paying a fine of up to $5,000 and losing your job but you may also have a permanent criminal record and go to jail.

If you have two or more serious violations within three years, you are likely to have your license suspended for 60 days. A third traffic violation will result in license suspension for an additional 120 days. Driving under the influence (DUI), refusal to undergo blood-alcohol testing, or leaving the scene of an accident is punishable by license suspension for a year. The production or transportation of controlled substances using a motor vehicle will result in a permanent lifetime revocation.

Common CDL Tickets in New York

The most common CDL tickets in New York are related to speeding and a driver’s failure to double-check the truck and ensure it’s running properly. In fact, close to 25% of all annual roadside CDL violations involve issues with lights and reflective equipment that can be easily avoided.

How Many Points to Suspend a CDL License in New York? 

In New York, if you accumulate 11-points within 18 months, your license will be suspended. 

Moving Violations That Can Result in the Suspension of Your CDL

Several moving violations can result in the suspension of your CDL, for example:

• Operating a commercial vehicle without a CDL
• Failing to yield and/or stop at a stop sign
• Causing a fatal accident
• Fleeing an accident scene
• Reckless driving
• Speeding by 15 mph or more over the posted limit
• Running a red light
• Driving with a blood alcohol content level above 0.04% (half the usual legal limit)
• Refusing a breathalyzer test
• Unsafe or illegal lane change
• Tailgating
• Violating the restrictions of the New York Transportation laws and regulations such as weight, size, and emissions.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your CDL? 

A speeding ticket will stay on your CDL record for three years.

The Best CDL Lawyers in New York

NY Traffic Firm

NY Traffic Firm has represented hundreds of commercial drivers with different types of CDL licenses, assisting them with everything from CDL moving violations to commercial drunk driving cases and CDL license suspensions and revocations. NY Traffic Firm will help you avoid or reduce penalties for violating rules, regulations, and driving safety laws. 

Villanueva & Sanchala

Villanueva & Sanchala is a highly-rated CDL traffic violations law firm with more than two decades of experience representing truck drivers across New York State. Their team of experienced lawyers led by a former prosecutor Joseph P. Villanueva will assess the evidence and help you formulate the most effective strategy to fight allegations or negotiate a deal, saving your time, money, and points on your license. Under most circumstances, they will be able to appear in court on your behalf and negotiate a lower fine and penalties.

Weiss & Associates, PC New York Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Weiss & Associates New York Traffic Ticket Lawyer handles all types of CDL tickets in New York State and can clear most suspensions in a day. Their dedicated team of traffic attorneys defends drivers who receive tickets for any type of moving or truck violation, except for parking tickets, and red light and speeding camera tickets. They will defend your rights anywhere in New York State, including at the New York City Traffic Violations Bureau. 

Weiss & Associates, PC lawyers are familiar with strategies that will maximize your chances of winning the case and will save you time by appearing in court on your behalf. The firm has a flat truck ticket fee in addition to offering free initial consultation and online tools like point calculator, ticket analyzer, and ticket strategizer.

Chris Brown Law

Chris Brown is one of the best commercial driver’s license lawyers in New York. As a former prosecutor, Chris has extensive experience in working on both sides of the courtroom. He will go to court on your behalf and personally work with the assistant district attorney and judge to get the charges dismissed or negotiate a deal to minimize the impacts on your CDL license. The firm has excellent reviews and is highly recommended by clients.

Martin A. Kron & Associates, PC 

Martin A. Kron & Associates, PC is another outstanding New York CDL lawyer firm that specializes in CDL traffic violations. Martin A. Kron, a former New York State Traffic Court Judge, has over 30 years of experience and extensive knowledge of the New York Department of Motor Vehicles and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The firm handles all types of commercial traffic violations including speeding charges, violating safety regulations, reckless driving, and driving without insurance. 

The Law Office of Mindy Paget Brill

The Law Office of Mindy Paget Brill will provide you with effective legal guidance to fight your CDL tickets in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. With more than 30 years of combined legal experience, Mindy Paget Brill and Jonathan Gess have handled thousands of traffic violations. They can assist you with a wide range of commercial vehicle-related traffic offenses, such as speeding tickets, illegal cell phone use, and moving violations. The initial consultation is free. 

Using App Winit to Fight Your CDL Tickets

The Winit app is a simple way to fight your CDL ticket. All you need to do is snap a picture of your ticket and submit any evidence right in the app. Our team will get back to you with a free quote for your dispute within the next 48 hours. 

Winit app allows you to choose any of the experienced attorneys available on the platform at low rates. We’ll take care of everything else from providing you with quotes from the attorney to facilitating the initial communication and processing the fees. We will also prepare the case and go to court on your behalf. The entire process is completely risk-free—we charge you 50% of the fine amount only if we win.