Click to Call
(717) 823-0899

CDL Lawyer

Why Hire a CDL Lawyer ?(Trucking Attorney)

Use our expert CDL Lawyer to help you avoid many penalties from CDL Tickets. As a CDL attorney, we offer special legal help for commercial drivers facing violations. We focus on protecting your license and livelihood. Our CDL Lawyer will defend you with the officers who gave you the CDL Tickets and Trucking tickets. Usually, we can reach an agreement that helps you avoid suspension and points on your license.

Don’t take chances with your CDL license. The Shelton Firm is a law firm with lots of experience in CDL defense. Call The Shelton Firm today, and our Trucking attorney will work to keep unwanted points off your CDL license and keep you driving.

CDL holders have to follow higher standards than other drivers. Hiring an experienced CDL attorney can help you build a strong defense plan, protect your good reputation and driving record, and give you access to affordable legal support through flat-fee or membership-based plans.

DO’s and Don’ts before you proceed

  • Do reach out for a Consultation immediately: Waiting until your court date to contact your attorney can detriment your case. Reach out for a consultation immediately and we can discuss your case and your options.
  • Do act quickly after receiving a citation: Acting quickly maximizes your chance of a favorable outcome when hiring a CDL lawyer.
  • Do provide the Police with License, Registration, and Insurance: You are legally required to show police this information during any traffic stop or accident. Providing it can avoid additional tickets being added.
  • Do take notes: Write down what you remember about the situation as soon as you get a moment. Share this with your attorney as soon as you can as he may have follow up questions.
  • Don’t worry: Many of these issues can be worked out with an experienced and effective lawyer. Keeping calm and allowing your attorney to work through the process can be very beneficial to a good outcome.
  • Don’t simply pay the fine without exploring legal options: Paying the fine outright can put your CDL, employment, and insurance at risk. Always consult a CDL lawyer to understand your options before making any payment.
  • Don’t Plead Guilty: Do not plead guilty to a citation before you have had a chance to talk to an attorney and receive a free consultation. We are always available to discuss your options.
  • Don’t Reach out to the police: It’s important to remember the police can use any statement you give them in court. Contacting them can lead to additional charges and added headaches. If you must speak to police it is better to us an attorney as a go between.

    • Always keep in mind employers of CDL Drivers generally only want to hire and keep drivers with clean records to avoid higher insurance costs.

Types of Violations:

    CDL traffic violations can have serious consequences for professional drivers. If you have a commercial driver’s license, you must follow higher rules than regular drivers and face tough penalties for traffic tickets, misdemeanors, and other violations. Driving a commercial vehicle comes with strict laws, and breaking them can lead to losing your CDL, suspension, or even permanent loss of your license.

    Watch out for these………..

  • Speeding Ticket Violations: Speeding ticket fines are not the only penalty you receive.  Additional Penalties could Include, (1) Potential CDL License Suspension, (2) Points on your CDL License, and (3) Higher Insurance Costs. Click her for more CDL Speeding ticket info.
  • Log Book violations: Failure to keep your electronic logbook in order can result in being placed out of service. CDL drivers are required to log daily activities to meet the requirements under the Federal Law.  Inspectors can request your logs up to 8 days prior to being inspected.
  • Out of Service Violations: Once out of Service the driver cannot drive any commercial motor vehicle for 10 consecutive hours. If the Driver violates the out of service order, a driver may be will lose his license if convicted of the offense.
  • Insurance Violations: No having or Not providing insurance can lead to a citation. Insurance violations can result in a 90 day license suspension, upon conviction.
  • Lane Violations: Not being able to maintain your lane in a commerical vehicle is a big deal. Even Non-Point Lane violations can be considered Serious Traffic Offenses and lead to you losing your CDL License.
  • Following too Closely: Tailgating another vehicle can lead to both Points on your license and is considered a Serious Traffic Offense.
  • Careless Driving: These tickets are associated with excessive speeding or accidents in CMVs.
  • Equipment Violations: Typically you get multiple tickets for equipment violation in one inspection. Each one affects your CSA score negatively.
  • Overweight Violations: These tickets can have the biggest fines levied. It is not uncommon for an overweight ticket to be $20,000 or more. These can be lowered with the help of our attorney.
  • Major Violations: certain violations, such as DUI or refusing chemical testing, are considered major violations and can result in a one-year CDL disqualification for a first offense in Pennsylvania. A second offense can lead to a lifetime or permanent CDL disqualification,

    • We are Here If You Need Us – Call for Free Case Review

    Getting a CDL is a hard process, and it’s important to follow the rules to protect your job. A CDL lawyer can help you fight these violations, protect your license, and keep your job safe. Many trucking companies do not tolerate any moving violations, so a conviction can cost you your job right away. It’s important to act fast, and a lawyer can also help if your employer blames you for something related to your CDL violations.

    For more info on Navigating Traffic Violations with a CDL ticket Lawyer Click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

We Promise People ask these all the time

How many points will i get?

The point system is used to track and penalize repeat traffic offenders, with consequences escalating as points accumulate on a driver’s record. Possible outcomes of accumulating points on your driving record include:


Mandatory exams
Hearings
Increased insurance premiums
Potential license suspension

Legal assistance from a traffic lawyer empowers drivers to contest traffic offenses and lessen the point system’s impact on their lives.

Click here for More Info

Has your license been suspended?

You can be at-risk of losing your driver’s license over traffic citations, point violations or for any of the reasons explained below.  If your license gets suspended call The Shelton Firm today for a free consultation.


PennDOT may suspend or revoke a license for any of the following reasons:

  • Specific Traffic Tickets
  • Refusal of Breathe or Blood Test
  • Non-Payment of Child Support
  • Medical Suspension
  • Insurance Violations
  • Failure to respond to ticket
  • Failure to pay a Ticket

At The Shelton Firm, we understand how to navigate the Pennsylvania legal traffic system.  We will fight to have your license reinstated, to have points removed from your driving record, and your automobile insurance reduced. 

Click here for More Info

Will my license get suspended?

Driving charges which require mandatory suspension in Pennsylvania include but are not limited to the following offenses:


DUI
Reckless Driving
Speeding over 31 Miles over the Limit
Driving Under Suspended License
Failure to Stop for School Bus
Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility
Racing on Highways
Accidents involving Damage to Attended Vehicle or Property

Click here for More Info

Did you plead Guilty/Found Guilty and need your case reopened? (Summary Appeal)

Have you mishandled your own defense at the Magistrate’s office, or mailed in a guilty plea in response to a traffic ticket? Is Penndot sending you letters about a license suspension for a recent ticket for which you pled guilty?


The summary appeal is your last shot at avoiding points, a suspension or a record for a traffic offense. A summary appeal is an appeal of a conviction for a traffic offense that occurred in Magisterial District Court. Once the appeal is filed it allows you to get a new trial before a Court of Common Pleas Judge.

Click here for More Info

Specific Types of CDL Violations

Major Traffic Offenses

For all major violations listed below, a first offense requires a CDL disqualification for one year. A DUI conviction is considered a major violation and can lead to a one-year disqualification for a first offense and a lifetime CDL suspension for a second offense. Refusing chemical testing incurs the same penalties as a DUI conviction, including a one-year CDL license suspension for the first offense.

A conviction for a second CDL violation can lead to disqualification from driving for life, and a felony drug violation can mean a permanent CDL revocation. Accumulating certain violations within three years can also result in increased penalties or permanent disqualifications. Because the consequences are so severe, it is crucial to seek experienced CDL defense to protect your license and career.

Click here for the Penndot Disqualifaction Fact sheet which lists all Major and serious traffic offenses.

Below are a list of Major Traffic offenses:

  1. Refusing to submit to a chemical test as required under the DUI law
  2. Leaving the scene of an accident tickets /Hit and Run
  3. DUI – even a first offense where ARD is the outcome
  4. Driving while your CDL is disqualified, suspended or recalled
  5. Violating an Out of Service Order
  6. Refusing to submit to a chemical test as required under the DUI law

Serious Traffic Offenses

If you are convicted of any 2 cdl traffic violations or serious traffic offenses within a three years period, you will be disqualified from driving a CMV for 60 days. In Texas, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) may also be suspended for 60 days if the driver is found guilty of two serious traffic violations within three years. Additionally, in Texas, CDL holders are not eligible for a Driver Safety Course or Deferred Disposition to keep traffic violations off their permanent driving record. In Pennsylvania, CDL holders cannot request an administrative hearing to contest the suspension or disqualification of their license.

If they convict you of 3 or more serious traffic offenses within a 3 year period, they will disqualify you from driving a CMV for 120 days

Here is a list of all the serious traffic offenses in PA:

  • Using handheld mobile telephone
  • Speeding over 15 Miles per hour (can be in personal Motor Vehicle)
  • Following too Closely
  • Tickets in Construction Areas
  • No CDL license/Improper class of license
  • Lane Change Violations
  • Reckless Driving
  • Hazardous Grades
  • Texting while driving

Accidental Damage to Unattended Vehicles: Pennsylvania’s Hit and Run Statute

This traffic charge is Pennsylvania’s Hit and Run statute. A truck driver who is convicted of any charge for leaving the scene of an accident will be subject to a ONE YEAR DISQUALIFICATION of their CDL License.

CDL citations for Section 3742, 3743, 3745 are all for Hit and Run and will lead to a one-year disqualification of a trucker’s CDL. 

2. Negotiation and plea bargaining: A skilled traffic ticket lawyer can reduce the charges or penalties against you.

3. Court representation: they can challenge evidence, cross-examine witnesses

4. Minimized consequences: With their expertise, a traffic ticket lawyer can help minimize the consequences of your traffic violation. They can explore alternatives that can reduce or eliminate fines, points, or license suspension.

To reinstate a suspended or disqualified CDL in Pennsylvania, specific steps must be followed as outlined in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driving Privilege Sanctions and Restorations requeirements letter Fact Sheet (PennDOT).

Learn more about Pennsylvania’s Hit and Run Law

Consequences of CDL Suspension

A CDL suspension can cause serious problems for commercial drivers. It doesn’t just stop you from driving commercial vehicles—it can hurt your whole driving career. When a CDL holder’s license is suspended because of traffic violations like speeding, reckless driving, or too many points on their record, the effects go beyond just a short break from driving.

Losing your commercial driver’s license might mean you can’t work, which can lead to losing income or even your job. Many employers want drivers with clean records, so a suspended CDL can make it hard to find work in the industry. Also, insurance costs for CDL holders often go up a lot after a suspension, adding to the financial stress.

A CDL suspension can also hurt your professional reputation, making it tough to earn back trust from employers and clients. If you have multiple offenses or serious violations, you could face longer suspension times or even lose your commercial license permanently, putting your livelihood in danger.

For commercial drivers, it’s very important to protect your license. Even one traffic offense can start a chain of problems—higher insurance rates, a bad driving record, and fewer job chances. That’s why it’s important to take every violation seriously and get help from an experienced lawyer. They can fight for your rights, reduce penalties, and help keep your driving record clean. Your ability to drive commercial vehicles and have a good career depends on it.

Learn more

Need Help ASAP?

Click here for a free case review

Click to submit case

Areas Served

The Shelton Firm is centrally located in Lancaster, PA.  Our CDL Lawyer services clients throughout Central PA.   Our diligent and aggressive representation is the secret ingredient that keeps our clients coming back for all their legal needs.

Contact Us
Illustrated map of the state of Pennsylvania in United States with cities and landmarks. Editable vector illustration

Lancaster law blog

News & Legal Updates