CDL Serious Traffic Violations
Under Ohio law, certain traffic offenses committed by commercial drivers are classified as serious traffic violations. The significance of this designation can have an impact on a CDL drivers insurance, employability, and license. If a CDL driver is convicted of 2 or more serious traffic violations in a 3 year period, their license may be automatically suspended for either 60 or 120 days. While they may be able to obtain permission to drive a personal vehicle during this suspension, they are disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle.
Ohio Law defines the following as serious traffic violations:
In a commercial motor vehicle:
- Driving without a valid CDL license
- Driving without your CDL license with you
- Residing in Ohio longer than 30 days and driving with an out-of-state CDL
- Obtaining a CDL License without surrendering all previous licenses
In any motor vehicle:
- Speeding in excess of the speed limit by 15 or more miles per hour
- Reckless operation on public or private property
- Violation of a traffic law that involves a fatal accident
- Failing to drive within marked lanes
- Failing to maintain a safe distance behind another vehicle (following too closely)
- Any other violation that the United States Secretary of Transportation designates by rule
