The logbook serves as a mandatory legal document which monitors all hours of service (HOS) and rest periods and driving hours for commercial drivers. A single mistake in your logbook entries will result in a traffic ticket which endangers your CDL status and safety performance and professional future.
The team at Speed Ticket Defense provides specialized defense services to protect CDL drivers from traffic violations. The following information explains about CDL logbook violations and their defense strategies.
What Is a Logbook Violation?
A driver becomes guilty of a CDL logbook violation when they fail to properly document necessary information in their logbook entries. The most frequent logbook infractions include:
- The driver exceeds their allowed driving hours without taking the necessary rest periods.
- The driver makes false entries in their logbook or neglects to keep proper records.
- The driver fails to maintain their logbook (or ELD) in an updated state for inspection purposes.
- The driver neglects to present supporting documentation which includes fuel receipts and tolls and bills of lading.
Small mistakes in logbook entries such as missing information or incorrect time stamps will lead to traffic citations and monetary penalties.
Logbook Violations Present Major Penalties to Commercial Drivers
CDL drivers face more than monetary penalties when they receive logbook violations.
- The Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) score of drivers faces negative impacts from violations because employers actively track this metric.
- Employers reserve the right to suspend or terminate drivers who repeatedly make errors with their logbooks.
- Multiple logbook violations create a risk for CDL drivers to lose their commercial driving authorization.
- The cost of civil penalties for logbook violations reaches into the thousands of dollars when drivers submit false documentation.
CDL Ticket Defense Strategies for Logbook Violations
1. Challenge the Accuracy of the Citation
The combination of system errors and officer misinterpretation and electronic logging device malfunctions leads to logbook violations. The attorney will examine the citation to identify any possible errors.
2. Provide Supporting Evidence
The combination of fuel receipts and time-stamped bills of lading and GPS data helps prove compliance and shows that no falsification occurred.
3. Negotiate for Reduction
A qualified traffic defense attorney can help you obtain a non-moving violation which will not affect your CDL status or CSA score.
4. Expose Procedural Errors
The failure of law enforcement to follow correct inspection and reporting protocols will lead to the dismissal of your citation.
CDL Drivers Should Follow These Steps to Avoid Logbook Violations
- The ELD system or paper logbook requires immediate updates whenever you stop at any location.
- Verify all log entries before your shift ends.
- All drivers should maintain backup documentation which includes fuel receipts and toll statements.
- Stay current with FMCSA hours-of-service regulations.
CDL drivers need to hire a defense attorney because logbook violations create serious problems.
The process of dealing with logbook violations becomes more complicated when drivers face accusations of falsifying their records. The process of paying a fine automatically leads to a guilty admission which harms your driving record. An attorney with experience can help you minimize or eliminate the effects of the violation.
Speed Ticket Defense represents CDL drivers daily to safeguard their licenses and employment opportunities and professional development.
Final Thoughts
A logbook violation will not automatically result in the loss of your career. A defense attorney who specializes in CDL cases will help you defend your driving privileges while you continue your career path.
Contact Speed Ticket Defense immediately to receive assistance with your logbook violation ticket.