North Carolina drivers may need to watch out for extra patrols as the seasons change. Wintertime brings with it the potential for slick and slippery roads, making for dangerous driving conditions.
A driver’s physical condition may exacerbate the dangers of traversing winter roads. A few adult beverages with friends may prove to do more than get you a ticket. You may wind up losing your livelihood. If you have a Commercial Driver’s License, you may want to take extra precautions to avoid losing your license.
Major violations lead to disqualification of CDL
Mistakes happen, and sometimes, people have poor judgment behind the wheel. Occasionally, these choices may end with long-term consequences. The first violation may result in losing your CDL for one year. A second infraction may see your CDL gone for good. In some cases, you may petition to get it back after 10 years. Some examples of major violations include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Fleeing an accident scene
- Operating a commercial vehicle with a BAC of .04 or greater
- Committing a felony while driving a commercial vehicle
- Driving a commercial vehicle without a CDL
- Causing someone’s death with a commercial vehicle
Understanding implied consent and a CDL
When you first got a license, your excitement probably took over, and you may not even realize the implications of it. Both a regular driver’s license and a commercial driver’s license come with a rule known as implied consent. If an officer pulls you over on suspicion of driving under the influence, you must submit to either a breath or blood test if asked. Should you refuse, the officer may take your license on the spot. A CDL driver must also submit to a form of testing when operating a commercial vehicle. Failing to do so results in a violation of the terms of your license.
Truck drivers are in demand, and the profession continues to grow by leaps and bounds. A loss of your CDL would do more than just inconvenience you. If you find yourself with a violation, you may want to contact an attorney for help.
