Commercial Drivers License but you don’t use your CDL?

Last Updated on June 6, 2025 by Beltz Law Group

Commercial Driver (CDL) Tickets: The High Stakes of Every Conviction.

Dedicated Legal Defense for CDL Holders in Texas. Call The Beltz Law Group Today: 214-321-4105

For commercial drivers, a traffic ticket is never “just a ticket.” It’s a direct threat to your income, your career, and your future. Unlike a standard Class C driver, individuals holding a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) are held to significantly higher standards, facing stringent regulations and severe penalties for moving violations, even when driving their personal vehicles.

At The Beltz Law Group, we understand that defending a CDL holder’s traffic ticket is among the most challenging areas of traffic law. These are the toughest cases we handle because the consequences of a conviction are so severe. This makes obtaining solid legal representation absolutely crucial for any CDL carrier facing a citation.

Why CDL Status Makes Defense Difficult: The “Anti-Masking” Rule

The primary reason CDL traffic tickets are so difficult to defend with common strategies like deferred disposition lies in federal and state “anti-masking” provisions.

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 45A.301(f) (formerly 45.051(f) and 45.051(e)(2)(A) and (B)) explicitly states that the option for deferred disposition for most traffic offenses “does not apply to… a violation of a state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle control, other than a parking violation, committed by a person who: (A) holds a commercial driver’s license; or (B) held a commercial driver’s license when the offense was committed.”

This legal language means:

• No Deferred Disposition for Most CDL Holders: If you held a CDL at the time you committed the offense, you are generally ineligible for deferred disposition. This prevents the court from “masking” or hiding the conviction from your driving record. This rule applies whether you were driving your commercial vehicle or your personal vehicle.
• The Intent of the Law: These anti-masking laws are a federal mandate. Their purpose is to ensure that all traffic convictions for CDL holders are reported to their official driving record, providing a complete picture of a commercial driver’s safety history to employers and regulators across the country.

The Grave Consequences of a CDL Conviction

Because deferred disposition is typically not an option, a conviction for a moving violation as a CDL holder almost certainly means it will appear on your driving record. The implications are far-reaching and can jeopardize your livelihood:

• Increased Insurance Premiums: Commercial auto insurance rates are directly tied to a driver’s record. Even a single moving violation can lead to significant increases in premiums for you or your employer.
• Employment Instability: Many trucking companies and employers in the transportation industry have strict policies regarding driver infractions.
  • Job Loss: Even one conviction for a moving violation can make you uninsurable or unemployable, leading to immediate termination.
  • Hiring Difficulties: Many employers will not hire a CDL driver without a clean driving record. Any blemishes make you a less desirable candidate in a competitive job market.
• CDL Disqualifications: Accumulating “serious traffic offenses” (defined by federal regulations to include things like speeding 15+ mph over the limit, reckless driving, improper lane changes, etc.) within a three-year period leads to mandatory CDL disqualifications:
• 60 days for two serious offenses.
• 120 days for three serious offenses. These are automatic suspensions of your commercial driving privileges, meaning you cannot legally drive a commercial vehicle for extended periods.

Employer Notification: You are legally required to notify your employer within 30 days of any traffic conviction, even if it occurred in your personal vehicle. This notification can immediately trigger adverse employment actions.

The Imperative of Solid Representation for CDL Drivers

Given these severe potential consequences, it is absolutely crucial for every CDL carrier to retain an experienced traffic ticket defense firm when facing a citation. While the law limits options, our attorneys at The Beltz Law Group are skilled at navigating these complex cases.

Here’s how we approach CDL defense:

• Thorough Case Analysis: We meticulously review every detail of your citation, the officer’s report, and the circumstances of the stop to identify any factual or legal weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
• Challenging the Evidence: We explore all avenues for outright dismissal, which is the gold standard for CDL holders. This includes challenging the accuracy of speed measurement devices, questioning police procedures, or identifying issues with the traffic control device itself.
• Aggressive Negotiation: While deferred disposition is generally off the table, we engage in direct negotiations with prosecutors to pursue alternative resolutions that might still benefit you. This could involve exploring the possibility of a dismissal in the “interest of justice” if compelling circumstances exist (e.g., if you no longer hold a CDL and can demonstrate this to the court).
• Trial Preparedness: If a favorable resolution cannot be negotiated, our experienced litigators are fully prepared to take your case to trial, vigorously defending your rights and presenting your case to the court.
• Protecting Your Livelihood: We understand that your CDL is your career. We are dedicated to fighting diligently to protect your driving record and your ability to earn a living.

Do not assume you have no options when facing a CDL traffic ticket. The stakes are too high. Even if a dismissal isn’t guaranteed, having expert legal counsel can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a significant career setback.

If you are a CDL holder and have received a traffic ticket, contact The Beltz Law Group today. Let us put our experience to work to protect your driving record and your future.