You must be cautious while driving since you rely on your CDL as a professional truck driver.
When truckers act irresponsibly or fail to maintain their equipment, they risk losing their jobs.
But, some truckers may risk losing their CDL due to the employers they work for.
Do not put your CDL in danger due to questionable business activities.
Knowing what you are and are not responsible for can help you maintain your ability to drive and your income.
3 Ways To Keep Your CDL Safe
Avoid Violations
If there are problems with your vehicle, whether it belongs to your business or you personally, you might be held accountable.
If your employer instructs you to utilize substandard equipment, you must decide whether or not you are prepared to incur the risk.
Please bear in mind that you are accountable for that choice and that it might result in the loss of your CDL.
These are a few examples of offenses that might result in a black mark on your CDL:
- Expired documents
- Overweight
- Over-length
- Over height
- Speeding
- Parking Tickets
- Traffic Tickets
- Defective Lights
- Equipment Failures
- Logbook Errors and Omissions
Challenge Your Tickets
In certain circumstances, paying legal fees to contest a traffic citation might be worthwhile.
The fundamental justification is that you may save your license from license points if you believe you can fight the traffic infraction.
In the case of an accident, a speeding ticket, or a distracted driving citation, points may accumulate. If you do not keep an eye on those points, you might easily be in danger of losing your license.
While some trucking firms may not punish you if you get a few speeding fines, remember that higher-paid positions with more renowned firms WILL carefully examine your driving history.
One or two penalties may not result in the loss of your CDL, but you should be cautious not to accumulate too many fines and devalue yourself as a truck driver.
Avoid Relying on Circle Checks
Among truck drivers, a circle check is a standard procedure.
But do not anticipate a mechanical check from this.
Most truck drivers lack the qualifications to approve a vehicle’s roadworthiness.
During a circle check, you can do several basic checks, but you should not be held accountable if your equipment develops a flaw more serious than anything you might quickly notice.
Remember, you are not a mechanic, after all!
Any discoveries you make must be reported right away.
Do not be pressured to drive a car that requires repairs by your transportation business. If you have an accident with a truck that you ‘knew had troubles,’ your trucking business will most certainly attempt to hold you liable.
It can only be terrible news.
You should decline to drive while on duty if your employer asks you to break any of the FMCSA regulations.
This is easier said than done.
But consider this: If you caused or were involved in a collision while knowing your equipment was not safe, losing your license would be more detrimental than losing your job for failing to report for duty.
Your CDL is in jeopardy if you report for duty when you know that, for whatever reason, you shouldn’t.
After then, you lose both your CDL and your income.
Take no chances! Choose another employer to work for.
In the end, it is up to you.
You will probably have to make the difficult choice to skip a route at some point during your truck driving career due to problems with your vehicle, cargo, or route.
Whether it could be worth risking losing your CDL is entirely yours.
Ensure you are not punished or penalized for anything that was not your fault.
If contesting your tickets would keep your CDL, do it?
You may do your best to protect your license by driving safely and responsibly.
FAQs
Could I be held responsible for an accident if I did not have enough time to repair my vehicle?
You might be held accountable if you were aware of the situation yet neglected to get your vehicle fixed. Do not feel compelled by your transportation firm to accept unnecessary risks.
When I inform my trucking firm that a repair is necessary, they often respond that it will be made after the trip I am on. Is that okay?
That is not okay, no. That is dangerous. You must refuse to drive it and put your foot down. Request a different vehicle. Accidents are not worthwhile in any way. If this often occurs at your workplace, you may want to look for another job.
While I can not afford it, I want to drive trucks. How can I get a CDL?
Look at paid CDL training choices if you can not afford a private CDL school program. There are trucking businesses that provide truck driver training in return for your commitment to working for them for a certain time once you finish your training (typically from 9-12 months).
Is the salary for truck drivers sufficient to make a good living?
Not all trucking businesses provide competitive compensation. Be careful to look for a fair carrier to compensate you for your job as a licensed CDL driver. No spare time for waiting.