Source: https://www.edmundmichielaw.com/trucking-violations-tickets-virginia.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 20:51:53+00:00

Document:
Convictions can lead to CDL suspensions, pursuant to federal or state law (see below), and some employers simply aren't going to tolerate convictions and will suspend or fire a driver. Moreover, federal regulations specify that employers are required to have their drivers provide a certified list of their driving violations, if any, every 12 months. See 49 C.F.R. § 391.25 and 49 CFR § 391.27.
Some judges and prosecutors are sympathetic to the potential effects of a traffic conviction on a truck driver in a given case. Unfortunately, other judges and prosecutors are not willing to cut breaks to truckers on traffic violations because they believe that driving errors are more dangerous when made in a large truck than when made in a car. Also, some judges just see it as their job to make sure a driver's record accurately reflects what happened, regardless of the ramifications.
Consequently, it is all the more important to have an experienced lawyer help you get the best result available. I have represented a very large number of truck drivers on all sorts of violations around central Virginia and would be happy to talk to you about your case in my geographic service area.
Unlike drivers of passenger vehicles, truckers also have to worry about a large number of state and federal laws and regulations that are specific to trucking -- including keeping the proper logs, staying within weight limits, staying off certain roads in any commercial tractor trailer, and staying off certain roads if the truck is over a certain length.
"Notwithstanding subsection C of § 52-8.4, any violation of any of the following provisions of the regulations adopted pursuant to § 52-8.4 shall constitute traffic infractions as defined in § 46.2-100 and shall be eligible for designation as traffic infractions for which a pretrial waiver of appearance, plea of guilty, and fine payment may be accepted pursuant to § 16.1-69.40:1.
Instructions and document violations 49 C.F.R. § 397.191997, c. 283.
"(a) General. A driver who is disqualified shall not drive a commercial motor vehicle. A motor carrier shall not require or permit a driver who is disqualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle.
(b) Disqualification for loss of driving privileges. (1) A driver is disqualified for the duration of the driver's loss of his/her privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle on public highways, either temporarily or permanently, by reason of the revocation, suspension, withdrawal, or denial of an operator's license, permit, or privilege, until that operator's license, permit, or privilege is restored by the authority that revoked, suspended, withdrew, or denied it.
(ii) The driver is employed by a motor carrier or is engaged in activities that are in furtherance of a commercial enterprise in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce.
(C) Refusal to undergo such testing as is required by any State or jurisdiction in the enforcement of §391.15(c)(2)(i) (A) or (B), or §392.5(a)(2).
(v) A felony involving the use of a commercial motor vehicle.
(3) Duration of disqualification—(i) First offenders. A driver is disqualified for 1 year after the date of conviction or forfeiture of bond or collateral if, during the 3 years preceding that date, the driver was not convicted of, or did not forfeit bond or collateral upon a charge of an offense that would disqualify the driver under the rules of this section. Exemption. The period of disqualification is 6 months if the conviction or forfeiture of bond or collateral soley concerned the transportation or possession of substances named in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section.
(ii) Subsequent offenders. A driver is disqualified for 3 years after the date of his/her conviction or forfeiture of bond or collateral if, during the 3 years preceding that date, he/she was convicted of, or forfeited bond or collateral upon a charge of, an offense that would disqualify him/her under the rules in this section.
(1) General rule. A driver who is convicted of violating an out-of-service order is disqualified for the period of time specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
(2) Duration of disqualification for violation of out-of-service orders--(i) First violation. A driver is disqualified for not less than 90 days nor more than one year if the driver is convicted of a first violation of an out-of-service order.
(ii) Second violation. A driver is disqualified for not less than one year nor more than five years if, during any 10-year period, the driver is convicted of two violations of out-of-service orders in separate incidents.
(iii) Third or subsequent violation. A driver is disqualified for not less than three years nor more than five years if, during any 10-year period, the driver is convicted of three or more violations of out-of-service orders in separate incidents.
(iv) Special rule for hazardous materials and passenger offenses. A driver is disqualified for a period of not less than 180 days nor more than two years if the driver is convicted of a first violation of an out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.), or while operating commercial motor vehicles designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver. A driver is disqualified for a period of not less than three years nor more than five years if, during any 10-year period, the driver is convicted of any subsequent violations of out-of-service orders, in separate incidents, while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, or while operating commercial motor vehicles designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver.
(1) General rule. A driver who is convicted of violating the prohibition of texting in §392.80(a) of this chapter is disqualified for the period of time specified in paragraph (e)(2) of this section.
(i) Second violation. A driver is disqualified for 60 days if the driver is convicted of two violations of §392.80(a) of this chapter in separate incidents during any 3-year period.
(ii) Third or subsequent violation. A driver is disqualified for 120 days if the driver is convicted of three or more violations of §392.80(a) of this chapter in separate incidents during any 3-year period.
(1) General rule. A driver who is convicted of violating the restriction on using a hand-held mobile telephone in §392.82(a) of this chapter is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for the period of time specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this section.
(i) Second violation. A driver is disqualified for 60 days if the driver is convicted of two violations of §392.82(a) of this chapter in separate incidents committed during any 3-year period.
(ii) Third or subsequent violation. A driver is disqualified for 120 days if the driver is convicted of three or more violations of §392.82(a) of this chapter in separate incidents committed during any 3-year period."

References: § 391
 § 391
 § 52
 § 52
 § 46
 § 16
 § 397
 §391
 §392
 §392
 §392
 §392
 §392
 §392
 §392