No, you cannot obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) after being charged with reckless driving. In Virginia, there are certain actions that ring the disqualification bell for a CDL. These include:
- Reckless driving
- Speeding fifteen MPH or more above the speed limit
- Improper or erratic lane change
- Tailgating
- Moving violations linked to a fatal crash
- Driving a commercial motor vehicle without a valid CDL
- Piloting a commercial motor vehicle without the correct CDL class and/or endorsements
- Operating a commercial motor vehicle without having your CDL on hand
- Texting while at the wheel of a commercial motor vehicle
If you have two serious violations within a three-year window, you’ll get a sixty-day CDL disqualification. Push that to three or more serious violations in the same timeframe, and you’re looking at a 120-day CDL disqualification.
A CDL operates as an advanced iteration of the standard driver’s license, requiring prior possession of a Class D Virginia driver’s license designated for passenger vehicles. In the event of a suspension of your regular driver’s license due to reckless driving, the legal authorization to operate a commercial motor vehicle is revoked, and you’ll need to hire a qualified Virginia Beach reckless driving attorney.
Federal Reckless Driving Regulations For Commercial Drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) wields its regulatory authority, extending its reach to most commercial drivers in Virginia. Within their framework, reckless driving is a serious violation. Rather than crafting its own definition, the FMCSA gracefully defers to local statutes.
In Virginia’s legal language, housed in Virginia Code Section 46.2-852, reckless driving spans from high-speed escapades to steering a vehicle in a manner that flirts with endangering life, limb, and property. Virginia adds supplementary statutes that expand the scope of reckless driving to include acts like brake roulette, questionable passes, street races, and forgetting to use a turn signal.
State Reckless Driving Regulations For Commercial Drivers
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles takes a stern stance on CDL drivers committing serious violations, a category that includes not only reckless driving but also texting while maneuvering a commercial vehicle, making erratic lane changes, and surpassing the speed limit by fifteen MPH or more.
Beyond the suspension of a commercial license, reckless driving in Virginia brings many serious repercussions. A driver found guilty of irresponsible driving risks losing their personal driving license, facing financial penalties, and even serving time behind bars. Their first reckless driving conviction is a Class 1 misdemeanor, marking the driver with:
- Six points on their license for an eleven-year stint
- A potential twelve-month jail term
- A fine reaching up to $2,500
- A six-month hiatus from driving privileges
Trust Coastal Virginia Law
Do you need a lawyer for a reckless driving ticket? Yes! Navigating the legal intricacies of reckless driving cases requires expertise and a nuanced understanding of the specific implications for CDL holders. A seasoned attorney from Coastal Virginia Law can skillfully navigate the legal system, utilizing our knowledge of traffic laws, negotiating with prosecutors, and crafting a robust defense strategy tailored to the unique challenges posed by CDL-related matters.
By enlisting the services of our qualified legal representatives, you’ll not only enhance your chances of a favorable outcome but also safeguard your ability to obtain or maintain a CDL!
Wondering if you can be charged with reckless driving after the fact? Check out our latest post!