What Happens After a CDL Driver Gets a Reckless Driving Ticket?

A reckless driving charge is one of the worst tickets a commercial driver can receive, because it hits you on two fronts at once: criminal court and your CDL.

Two problems, one ticket

• Criminal: reckless driving is usually a misdemeanor with possible fines and even jail
• Licensing: it is a federally listed serious violation that counts toward disqualification

What to do first

Write down everything you remember about the stop while it is fresh — speed, road conditions, traffic, what the officer said. Preserve any dashcam or ELD data. Then talk to an attorney before your court date; reckless charges often hinge on subjective officer judgment that can be challenged.

Why a reduction matters so much

Getting reckless driving reduced to a non-serious offense does more than lower a fine — it can keep you off the path to disqualification and protect you from a criminal record that follows you to every future employer.

This article is general information, not legal advice. CDL rules combine federal and state law, and outcomes depend on the specific facts of your case. Talk to a licensed attorney about your citation.