If you drive a commercial vehicle without the appropriate commercial driver’s license (CDL), you can be charged for “no valid” driver’s license under Florida Statute 322.03. This charge requires prosecutors to prove you were not appropriately licensed when you drove a commercial vehicle on a Florida highway. For a license to be valid, it must have a class endorsement, not be revoked, suspended, canceled or expired. Consequences for this violation vary depending on your license status and prior conviction history.
It’s important to understand that driving without a commercial license is very different than driving with a suspended or revoked commercial license. These are two very different situations that come with varying penalties if convicted. Those charged with driving without a valid CDL didn’t necessarily have to know they were operating a commercial vehicle illegally.
Florida courts only require proof you didn’t have valid CDL and that you were driving a commercial vehicle for you to be convicted of this offense. It is not necessary for the prosecution to show that you knew you were driving a commercial vehicle without the appropriate license.
The prosecution may introduce your certified driving record from the DMV as evidence that you lack a CDL; however, this document alone does not definitively prove the absence of a valid commercial driver’s license.
Driving without a valid CDL is a serious traffic offense that results in a criminal charge. A conviction could negatively impact future applications for employment, higher insurance premiums, and even difficulty getting into some colleges or securing a job in the commercial driving business. Uber and Lyft heavily scrutinize driving records as well.
While the first violation of this charge doesn’t prevent you from getting a CDL in the future, subsequent convictions do impact licensing privileges.
If charged with driving a commercial vehicle without a valid CDL, it’s crucial you hire a Florida attorney as soon as possible. It is important to start creating your defense against prosecution, and a criminal defense attorney is necessary to do this.
Some potential defenses against charges of no valid commercial driver’s license are:
If you face a charge of no valid commercial driver’s license in Orlando, don’t delay requesting experienced legal counsel. A knowledgeable defense lawyer can help you through the criminal process so that your rights are protected and best interests prioritized. We can help you avoid the worst penalties and fight to help you keep your CDL.
If you have been arrested for driving a commercial truck with no valid commercial license, contact The Umansky Law Firm right away. You deserve representation you can rely on to protect your career and future driving privileges. Led by criminal defense attorney William D. Umansky, our firm’s team of former prosecutors has over 100 years of combined experience that has led to many successful resolutions for our clients. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and take the next steps to protect your good name.
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