A message for our valued clients and guests.
Please click to read our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

The attorneys at Hendrick & Henry Law help hundreds of Georgia CDL drivers each year. We understand the serious implications of a Georgia CDL traffic ticket because driving is how you make your living.

Commercial drivers have a special interest in keeping their record clean. At Hendrick & Henry Law, we understand these special cases. We give the care and attention to detail that is necessary to protect your living. Troy has been a guest on the Midnight Radio Trucking Network’s Freightliner Run Smart Hour, giving advice to professional drivers all over the nation.

We can help commercial drivers with all types of Georgia traffic infractions including:

• Speeding
• Log Book
• Overweight
• Overlength
• Inspection Violations

Many insurance companies are now dropping their drivers if they accrue more than 2 driving points. Rules and programs designed to allow the professional driver to avoid convictions are being rolled back, and tickets are becoming harder and harder to handle. Protect your record, and protect your living.

IT IS EASY TO START THE FREE CONSULTATION PROCESS:

1. To begin, please fill out the FREE CONSULTATION FORM or call 404-310-9795.

2. When we receive your information through our website form, Claudia, our traffic defense director, will call you, explain how we can help you, and also give you an immediate FREE legal fee quote for your consideration.

3. If you accept our Legal Representation Offer, by paying the legal fee and sending us a copy of your traffic ticket, then we do all the work representing you before the court, no matter how many appearances or how much work is involved. In other words, there are no hidden fees. Usually, you will not need to appear in court, though for some cases and courts this may be necessary.

4. When your ticket is successfully resolved, we will provide you with the final disposition, court paperwork, discuss in person any questions you may have, and give you any instructions to follow if there is a fine to pay the court to keep your ticket off your driving record, or other possible requirements.

We want it to be easy for you to retain the legal experience of the Georgia law firm of Hendrick and Henry.

Joseph Henry (L) leads our traffic law defense division.  Troy Hendrick (R) leads our personal injury division.

Georgia Commercial Driver Traffic Ticket Information

CDL—Commercial

Commercial drivers face many additional pitfalls when dealing with traffic tickets. In addition to any consequences that a commercial driver may face due to the policies of his employer, the State of Georgia has different rules for commercial drivers that are much more strict than for non-commercial drivers. In many ways, a commercial driver’s driving record acts as his job resumé. Insurance is also a major concern—liability premiums for a commercial driver can be very costly.

Serious traffic violations for commercial (CDL) driver’s in Georgia

Serious traffic violations for CDL drivers are defined in Georgia as the following violations:

• Speeding 15 or more over the limit
• Reckless Driving
• Improper or erratic lane change (except failure to signal)
• Following too closely
• Any traffic violation in connection with a fatal accident
• Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) without obtaining a CDL
• Operating a CMV without a license in the possession of the driver
• Operating a CMV without a CDL of the proper class and/or endorsements for the specific vehicle being operated or for the passengers or type of cargo transported
• Railroad grade crossing violations

Any driver convicted of two of these types of offenses within a 3-year period will be disqualified from driving a CMV for 60 days. In the event of a 3rd conviction, the disqualification will be for 120 days.

Major traffic offenses for commercial (CDL) driver’s in Georgia

Major traffic offenses committed in a CMV or a non-CMV are defined as follows:

• Operating a CMV or non-CMV while under the influence of alcohol
• Operating a CMV with a blood-alcohol concentration of .04 or greater
• Refusal to submit to a chemical test
• Driving a CMV or non-CMV while under the influence of a controlled substance
• Leaving the scene of an accident (CMV or non-CMV)
• Felony involving the use of a motor vehicle (CMV or non-CMV)
• Causing a fatality through the negligent operation of a CMV
• Operating a CMV when the driver’s CDL is suspended
• Use of a CMV or non-CMV in the commission of a felony involving the manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing of a controlled substance
• Racing on the streets and highways
• Using a motor vehicle in attempting to flee or elude an officer
• Operating a motor vehicle with a revoked, cancelled, or suspended registration in violation of O.C.G.A. §40-6-15
• Theft of a commercial motor vehicle or cargo contained therein
• Administrative Per Se (Driving with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more pursuant to Georgia Implied Consent).

Any of these violations will result in a disqualification. If the violation involves the commission of a felony involving the manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing of a controlled substance, the disqualification is for LIFE. Otherwise, the disqualification is for 3 years when it occurs while the CMV is transporting hazardous materials that require a placard. All other suspensions are for 1 year for the first violation, and lifetime for the 2nd violation.

As you can see, there are many complications involving citations issued to CDL drivers. The attorneys at The Law Offices of Troy P. Hendrick help hundreds of CDL drivers each year, and we understand the serious implications because driving is how you make your living. It is always advisable to contact an attorney to assist with these violations.