# Hold a CDL? Why a California ticket costs you more. Title: CDL Drivers: California Ticket Rules That Hit Harder URL: https://californiaticketlawyerhelp.com/tickets/commercial-drivers/ Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 > 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. ## What counts as a commercial motor vehicle? Under [Vehicle Code 15210](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=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](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=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](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=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 | Consequence | Statute | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Traffic school barred for a commercial vehicle offense | [VC 42005(c)(1)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=42005) | Not available | | Points valued at 1.5 times | [VC 12810.5(b)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=12810.5) | Each point counts as 1.5 | | Disqualification after a serious traffic violation within three years of another conviction | [VC 15306](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=15306) | 60 days | | Disqualification after a serious violation within three years of two or more separate convictions | [VC 15308(a)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=15308) | 120 days | [Vehicle Code 15210(p)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=15210) 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](https://californiaticketlawyerhelp.com/tickets/traffic-school-vs-contest/) before you pay. 4. Check your points on the [points and insurance](https://californiaticketlawyerhelp.com/tickets/points-and-insurance/) page and the [negligent operator hearing](https://californiaticketlawyerhelp.com/tickets/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**. San Francisco: 350 Rhode Island St #240, San Francisco, CA 94103, (628) 203-1868; San Jose: 2033 Gateway Pl Ste 500, San Jose, CA 95110, (628) 210-3807; Sacramento: 980 9th St, Sacramento, CA 95814, (628) 212-7076; Los Angeles: 515 Flower St #1951, Los Angeles, CA 90071, (628) 285-1257. Main line (866) 842-5384. 2. **The Nieves Law Firm**. 1100 11th St., 3rd Fl., Rm 311, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 545-1989. 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. 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. ## Sources - [Vehicle Code 15210, commercial motor vehicle (leginfo)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=15210) - [Vehicle Code 42005 (leginfo)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=42005) - [Vehicle Code 12810.5 (leginfo)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=12810.5) - [Vehicle Code 15306 (leginfo)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=15306) - [Vehicle Code 15308 (leginfo)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=15308) - [Sacramento Superior Court, Traffic ticket options](https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/divisions/traffic/ticket-options)