If you hold a commercial driver’s license, then you understand that any traffic violations you incur will impact your CDL. This includes those things that occur when driving your personal vehicle or any other non-commercial vehicle.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, if you have a CDL, the government holds you to higher standards than people who hold a regular driver’s license.
More responsibility
You have higher standards because you have to be more responsible as the driver of commercial vehicles. When you drive a large truck or another commercial vehicle, you are one of the most dangerous vehicles on the road regardless of how you drive. Any mistake you make can cost lives.
Therefore, you need higher standards because you must be more careful and drive better to protect everyone else on the road.
More skill
You also have to have more skill to hold a CDL. The testing requirements and application process are more difficult than for a regular driver’s license. You must be able to do certain things that non-commercial drivers do not have to do.
You also have a requirement to know your vehicle better. You probably understand many things about how your vehicle operates and its limitations than your average driver. With this knowledge, comes more responsibility to be a better driver.
Due to the higher standards for CDL holders, you generally will face stiffer penalties if you have a traffic violation. Also, you are more likely to lose your license or even face a permanent loss of your CDL than someone with a regular driver’s license.