Andreano Law helps hundreds of commercial drivers with ticket cases in Illinois courts every year. We understand the serious implications of a Illinois CDL traffic or speeding ticket because driving is how you make your living.

Q.  My semi-truck was pulled over by the Illinois State Police in Chicago on I-90 for being overweight.  If I plead guilty to driving my truck with an overweight load will there be a negative affect on my Commercial Driver License (CDL)?  

A.  It is quite possible your pleading guilty to an Illinois overweight CDL traffic ticket could jeopardize your privilege to drive with a commercial drivers license.  Because each overweight CDL case has it’s unique set of circumstances, please use our free case review to best describe your situation.  We understand your livelihood depends on keeping your license and we pride ourselves in developing the best strategies for your case based on our years of traffic law experience.

Commercial drivers have a special interest in keeping their record clean. At Andreano Law, we understand these special cases. We give the care and attention to detail that is necessary to protect your living. 

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

Many insurance companies are now dropping their drivers if they accrue more than just a few 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.

Illinois Commercial Driver Traffic Ticket Information

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 Illinois 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 Illinois

Serious traffic violations for CDL drivers are defined in Illinois 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 10-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 Illinois

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 Illinois 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 Andreano Law Firm helps hundreds of CDL drivers in Illinois 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.