Whether it’s a parent speeding to get the kids to soccer practice, an illegal right turn on red, or any number of other things, plenty of Georgia drivers receive tickets for minor traffic infractions.
Any of these offenses can lead to the accumulation of points. The point system is an easy way to keep tabs on the severity of a licensed driver’s record. While points affect everyone and can lead to higher insurance rates as well as make it difficult to find coverage, CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) points can end your career.
A few points on a regular license may not be life-altering, though they should still be addressed, but points on a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) can be. Thankfully, a CDL defensive driving course can help remove those points against you.

Why are Points so Important?

Due to the additional risks inherent in driving large commercial vehicles, CDL holders are held to much higher expectations. Therefore, the punishments levied can be more severe. Even more, it’s not uncommon for commercial drivers to be turned down by employers with as little as one or two unaddressed infractions. These repercussions are intended to result in safer and more alert commercial drivers.
As expected, more serious violations lead to more points being assessed and more severe penalties. Under Georgia CDL law, whether you were operating a commercial vehicle or a non-commercial vehicle, and whether the offense occurred outside of GA, is irrelevant. Major violations can result in revocation and disqualification of your CDL.
The first offense of a major violation will result in a one-year suspension of your CDL. Upon a second offense of a major violation, your CDL will be disqualified permanently.

What are the Violations?

Listed below are some of those major violations:cdl-defensive-driving-course-speeding

  • DUI or a BAC greater than 0.04 when driving a commercial vehicle
  • Driving under the influence of a controlled substance
  • Refusing a field sobriety test/alcohol blood testing
  • Leaving the scene of an accident involving a CMV(commercial motor vehicle)
  • Committing a felony with a vehicle
  • Driving with a suspended CDL or revoked CDL
  • Causing a fatality through negligent driving
  • Driving a CMV(commercial motor vehicle) under the influence of alcohol

Less severe traffic violations can still result in career-ending and life-altering punishments. Committing multiple serious traffic violations will also result in the suspension of your CDL.
Some serious violations include:

  • Exceeding the posted speed limit by over 15 MPH
  • Reckless driving
  • Improper lane change
  • Following too closely
  • Violation leading to a fatal accident
  • Not having a valid CDL for the specific type of vehicle being driven

Georgia’s DMV website further breaks down the length of CDL suspensions and what leads to them.

CDL Defensive Driving Course

cdl-defensive-driving-course-driverNow that you understand the violations and their respective ramifications, what can be done to remove points on your CDL? If you’re facing a violation, we highly recommend taking a CDL defensive driving course led by an approved driving school.
Taking a driving course prior to your court date and presenting your certificate of completion in court will very likely reduce your fine and help you avoid points. However, if the court date has passed, you can request a reduction of up to 7 points by completing a Georgia DDS-approved defensive driving course.
It’s important to note that both reduction options can be used only once every 5 years.

Remove Points with Our CDL Defensive Driving Course

I Day or II Nights Defensive Driving & DUI has successfully helped commercial drivers from all over Georgia remove points against them. Accumulating points puts your career and livelihood in jeopardy, but we’re here to put those concerns to rest through our program.
Contact us for live, online classes that help drivers in need of ticket dismissal, point reduction, license reinstatement, fine reduction, or insurance premium discounts.
If you have questions or would like to enroll, call us today at 678-940-5112 or fill out our contact form at the bottom of our website to schedule a class. We are looking forward to hearing from you!
defensive driving class