No Valid CDL Ticket in Arizona

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Tracie W.

We hired the Traffic Law Guys after my son received a criminal speeding ticket while driving home from college—unfortunately, in a town known for being particularly tough on speeding. From the very beginning, the entire team was outstanding: responsive, honest, and transparent about the process and potential outcomes. David handled the court hearing personally and was excellent—professional, prepared, and persuasive. As a fellow attorney, I was genuinely impressed by the quality of representation and level of care they provided. I would not hesitate to recommend Traffic Law Guys to anyone facing a traffic offense.

Shelley P.

What peace of mind Traffic Law Guys provided when I had a run-in with another driver. A call from the police telling me I was to be charged with aggressive driving--which carries possible jail time--had me pretty shook up. I scanned the web for a realistic expectation of what could happen if they followed through. Traffic Law Guys had the only website that seemed interested in spelling things out for me; all the others just wanted to scare me into contracting their services.

The follow-through did not disappoint. Within a couple of hours--on a weekend--I had a call and an email that already put me more at ease. They answer the phone when you call, too, and are happy to help. Chris, the attorney I spoke to, made a point of calling me back on a Sunday, and never acted like it was a bother or that he had better things to do.

I may or may not need legal help with this matter; time will tell. But if I do, I will absolutely call Traffic Law Guys. The rates are reasonable and the customer service is exactly what you'd hope for, especially when you're shook up and scared.

How do you know if you need a commercial driver license (CDL)?

The laws surrounding whether or not you need a CDL are complex. Even the cops who issue tickets for driving without a CDL have trouble understanding the laws. That’s why they use the handy flow chart you see at the end of this post. This is the flow chart police use to decide whether or not you need a CDL, and whether or not they should write you a ticket.

As you will notice, there are three key factors. These factors include the gross vehicle weight, the number of passengers a vehicle is designed to carry, and hazardous cargo. In summary:

- If the vehicle you are driving has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, you need a CDL
- If the vehicle you are driving is designed to carry 16 or more people, including the driver, you need a CDL.
- If the vehicle you are driving carries placardable amounts of hazardous materials, you need a CDL (with a hazardous materials endorsement).

Penalties For Driving Without A CDL In Arizona

In Arizona, it is a criminal violation to drive a vehicle that requires a commercial driver license when you do not have a commercial driver license. The statute that covers this is A.R.S. 28-3481(A). If you are caught, you will likely be charged with a class 3 criminal misdemeanor. A class 3 misdemeanor carries the potential for a $500 fine (plus surcharges which would about double the fine), 30 days in jail, and probation. In reality, jail and probation are extremely unlikely.

Fighting A No Valid CDL Ticket

If you are ticketed for driving without a CDL, there are basically two approaches. The first approach is to argue that you didn’t need a CDL in the first place. This is a strictly legal argument that depends on the type of vehicle you were driving. See the flowchart.

The second approach is to try to work out an agreement with the prosecuting attorney. We’ve had good success with that. We always advise our clients to get their CDL, quickly! If we can come into court and show proof that our client has obtained his or her CDL, then often we can get the criminal charge reduced to a civil charge, or maybe even get the charge dismissed all together.

Arizona Considers A No Valid CDL Ticket A “Serious Violation”

Why is this important? If a driver who is required to have a CDL is convicted of 2 “serious violations” within a 3 year period, they will be disqualified from holding a CDL for 60 days. See A.R.S. 28-3312(A)(5). Some other examples of “serious violations” include driving 15 mph or more over the limit, improper lane changes, following too closesly, or using a mobile phone.

Flowchart that answers the question when do I need a cdl in Arizona?

Did you get a ticket for no valid CDL?

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