Protecting your CDL

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by lifesafight, Jul 7, 2011.

  1. lifesafight

    lifesafight Light Load Member

    109
    10
    Jul 15, 2007
    East Orange, NJ
    0
    Hi,

    I'm starting orientation with a company in a week. I need some advise on what to do in order to protect my CDL. Most likely I will have a co-driver. Should I get a pre-paid lawyer service for moving violations or arrests? Is it better to get a pre-paid service or should I just try to stay out of trouble and pay a lawyer to defend me if I get a ticket. Do you recommend and lawyer service and if so is it pre-paid or not? What other sorts of trouble can I get into on the road and how can I protect myself?

    Thank You
     
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  3. Cowmobile

    Cowmobile Medium Load Member

    609
    1,233
    May 9, 2011
    The hammer lane....
    0
    It would be alot easier to just stay outta trouble.....
     
  4. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    Jul 15, 2006
    El Chuco, Tejas
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    I paid for a prepaid service and when I needed them they said my account was delinquent. Apparently the lady who signed me up messed up my bank account numbers and the service was never paid for. Since I transferred the amount of the service plus extra to my savings every week, I never noticed the payments weren't withdrawn for a whole year. Lucky me I got stuck with $350 in PA fines.
     
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  5. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Ask my GPS...
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    I'd think choice (b) is preferrable... don't be violating the laws in a way that will require an attorney.
     
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  6. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    El Chuco, Tejas
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    In my case I wasn't trying. I was on a restricted road but I had missed the sign that said so. The State policeman wrote me up for that as well as not filling out an inspection report (on a day I did not drive) and for logging that day on the sleeper berth line (my goof, I meant to do it off duty).
     
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  7. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Don't ya just hate when that happens? Much better when it happens at 3AM, and the cops are at home where they belong!

    But if it does... I think you're better served by contacting an attorney who specializes in defending truckers against traffic violations. And... ALWAYS fight these things - never go to court unrepresented, and NEVER, NEVER, just plead to it.
     
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  8. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    If you are going to be a company driver, many companies will have their retained attorney help you if it's serious enough. You just try to learn good habits and not be a weiney head, you'll do just fine. Some companies even pay the fines and do payroll deduction if you happen to get one. I went 12 years with no incidents or tickets. Then I changed jobs with a fly by night company and got 3 in a row. Moral of the story, don't let any company push you. A company with a bad record will draw cops like flies.
     
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  9. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    ...and don't be thinkin' that just because you're ONLY doing 2mph over the speed limit won't get you pulled over (especially in a probable cause state), DOT'd and written up!
     
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  10. lifesafight

    lifesafight Light Load Member

    109
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    Jul 15, 2007
    East Orange, NJ
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    Prevention is better than cure but stuff happens.

    Thank You
     
  11. Tazz

    Tazz Road Train Member

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    Oct 25, 2009
    Lynchburg,Tn
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    Stay out of trouble keep your money iin your pocket. And for the love of logic stay out of that trap set by TVC that they will defend your CSA points.



    They can not in any way shape or form have anything to do with an inspection report! It's a #### lie told by every one of their little trolls infesting truck stops.


    Attention to doing your job properly and knowing the laws that defend your decisions will go far further to "defending"( I prefer using your privillege to drive correctly) your privilege than some mouth piece after you get caught.
     
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