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Ticket guide Reviewed

Hold a CDL? Why a California ticket costs you more.

Quick answer

For CDL holders, traffic school cannot keep a conviction confidential, points from commercial-vehicle violations count 1.5 times, and serious traffic violations can disqualify you for 60 days or 120 days. Weigh that before you pay any ticket.

Semi trucks and cars on a Southern California freeway under signs for I-5 and all-trucks lanes

What counts as a commercial motor vehicle?

Under Vehicle Code 15210(b)(1), a commercial motor vehicle is any vehicle that requires a class A or class B license, or a class C license with an endorsement under the listed paragraphs.

Traffic school limits

Vehicle Code 42005 draws two lines:

  • Traffic school is barred if the offense occurred in a commercial motor vehicle (subdivision (c)(1)).
  • For class A, class B or commercial class C holders, the court may not order the record of conviction kept confidential, and the conviction is not added to a violation point count under 12810.5 (subdivision (b)).

Points at 1.5 times

Vehicle Code 12810.5(b) values each point for a violation in a class A or B vehicle at 1.5 times its normal value.

Disqualification periods

Table: Disqualification periods

Consequence Statute Period
Traffic school barred for a commercial vehicle offense VC 42005(c)(1) Not available
Points valued at 1.5 times VC 12810.5(b) Each point counts as 1.5
Disqualification after a serious traffic violation within three years of another conviction VC 15306 60 days
Disqualification after a serious violation within three years of two or more separate convictions VC 15308(a) 120 days

Vehicle Code 15210(p) defines "serious traffic violation" and lists eight kinds, including excessive speeding of 15 mph or more above the posted limit, reckless driving, and texting while driving a commercial vehicle. Read the full list there and ask the DMV about your citation.

Tickets in your personal vehicle

The Sacramento court says that for violations on or after January 1, 2013, a commercial license holder may attend traffic school for a violation in a personal vehicle, only to avoid negligent-operator point counting. The conviction is not confidential for insurance.

Your next steps

  1. Note whether you were in a commercial motor vehicle.
  2. Find the due date and the court on your citation.
  3. Compare routes on traffic school vs. contest before you pay.
  4. Check your points on the points and insurance page and the negligent operator hearing page.

Our picks for you

These firms list traffic ticket work on their own websites. The picks are not a ranking.

  1. Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation

    4.9 on Google · 605 reviews

    Adam Cohen, Esq. (founder). Adam Cohen founded the firm in 2015. The firm says an attorney from its office appears on your behalf for non-criminal violations.

    Speeding tickets and speeding over 100 mphRed light and red light camera ticketsFailure-to-appear notices and suspended-license problemsNegligent operator hearingsCommercial driver citationsCriminal defense and DUI defenseFlat fee from $149Bilingual service available (Spanish)

    Review rating and count taken from the firm’s site on 2026-10-13.

    (866) 842-5384Get a flat-fee quote

  2. The Nieves Law Firm

    • 1100 11th St., 3rd Fl., Rm 311, Sacramento, CA 95814 (Sacramento office)(916) 545-1989
    • thenieveslawfirm.com

    Its Sacramento traffic page says it represents clients with a speeding ticket or a red light violation.

  3. Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners

    • 633 W 5th St, 28th Floor, Suite 2874, Los Angeles, CA 90071(213) 481-6811
    • lacriminaldefenseattorney.com

    Its speeding-ticket page says it offers a complimentary consultation to drivers facing a speeding ticket in Los Angeles.

Frequently asked questions

Can a CDL holder go to traffic school?

Sometimes. Vehicle Code 42005(c)(1) bars school if the offense occurred in a commercial motor vehicle. The Sacramento court lets a commercial license holder attend for a violation in a personal vehicle, only to avoid negligent-operator point counting, and the conviction is not confidential for insurance.

What is a serious traffic violation?

Vehicle Code 15210(p) defines it. The list includes speeding 15 mph or more above the posted limit, reckless driving, a violation tied to a fatal traffic accident, driving a commercial vehicle without a CDL, and texting while driving a commercial vehicle. Read the full list there and ask the DMV about your citation.

Do personal-car tickets affect my CDL?

Possibly. The Sacramento court allows school for a personal-vehicle violation only to avoid negligent-operator point counting, and the conviction is not confidential for insurance. Confirm with the DMV whether a personal-vehicle ticket counts toward disqualification, and do so before you pay or choose traffic school.

How many points can a Class A driver have?

Under Vehicle Code 12810.5(b), each point for a violation in a vehicle needing a class A or B license is valued at 1.5 times its normal value. Read the section for the count that applies to you, and ask the DMV how many points your record shows before you pay or choose traffic school.

Last reviewed · Reviewed by the californiaticketlawyerhelp editorial team