Are you a commercial vehicle driver, and you have been caught on the road without a valid commercial license? Then you will be facing severe punishment for your crime in the State of Florida, which means that you will need a skilled lawyer on your side to protect your legal rights.
It is important to understand that a charge for driving without a valid commercial license is very different from a charge for driving with a commercial license that has been either revoked or suspended in the past. There are a few differences between these charges, which you must clearly understand. A charge for driving with a revoked or suspended commercial license requires proof that you were aware of the past revocation or suspension. However, if you lacked a valid commercial license in the first place, then this does not apply.
Nonetheless, both charges will have long-lasting effects on your personal and professional life, such as making it difficult for you to find employment, rent, or buy a house, and obtain a professional license. This is why it is important to fight the charge by going to court and having a strong legal defense on your side.
The good news is that you can hire a reputable law firm like The Law Place to defend your legal rights and protect your good name in the State of Florida. The Law Place has over seventy-five years of collective experience when it comes to fighting cases for drivers – commercial or average road users – in Clearwater and across the State of Florida. We have a dedicated team of criminal defense lawyers who are skilled in offering legal advice, defending the rights of clients, and developing strong defense strategies for each and every case.
Our law firm holds an honest attorney-client relationship in the highest regard, and we will stand by your side as we guide you through the legal system. Rest assured that we will work hard to achieve a reasonable outcome for your case.
Call The Law Place today to schedule a free consultation. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. A criminal defense lawyer will be waiting to hear from you.
Contact us now at (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation, and we will fight your no valid commercial license charges together in Clearwater.
Differences Between No Valid Commercial License and Revoked/ Suspended Commercial License Charges
Florida Statute 322.03 explains the law on license requirements and penalties for commercial drivers in Clearwater, Florida. However, the charges for this offense will vary depending on whether you were caught driving without a valid commercial license or whether you were driving with a commercial license that was revoked or suspended in the past.
Driving without a valid commercial license – The prosecutor will not need to prove that you were aware of the law on driving without a valid commercial license to press charges against you. The only responsibility of the prosecutor is to prove that you were operating a commercial vehicle without acquiring an official commercial driver’s license in the State of Florida. They will ultimately focus on the status of your driver’s license, provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. However, there is always a way to fight these charges when you hire the services of a reputable law firm like The Law Place.
Driving with a suspended or revoked commercial license – The prosecutor is required to prove that you had knowledge or had an awareness of the commercial license suspension or revocation. A charge of this nature will not be added to the accumulation of offenses on your criminal record, which can ultimately lead you to be classed as a habitual traffic offender in the State of Florida. Furthermore, the state will impose harsher punishments on those who have been labeled as a habitual traffic offender, and they will not be offered any kind of leniency.
If you have been caught operating a commercial vehicle with a revoked or suspended driver’s license, then your driver’s license will be revoked for a time period of up to five years. However, these punishments do not apply to those who were caught operating a commercial vehicle with no valid commercial license.
For a free legal consultation with a no valid commercial licenses lawyer serving Clearwater, call 941-444-4444
What Are the Different Types of Driver’s License Possible in Clearwater, Florida?
There are seven different types of driver’s licenses in total, which can be issued by the State of Florida. These include:
Commercial Driver’s License
Truck drivers and bus drivers will require a commercial driver’s license (otherwise known as CDL) to operate larger vehicles under company employment.
Class E Learner’s License
This type of Florida license is for those who are currently learning to drive a motor vehicle.
The limitations and requirements of obtaining a Class E learner’s license include:
- You can only drive during the daytime for the first three months of obtaining a learner’s permit. However, once the three months have passed, then the learner can drive up until 10 o’clock at night.
- You are only allowed to drive a motor vehicle with another passenger who possesses a driver’s license supervising your driving.
- The weight limit for vehicles must be less than 8,000 pounds.
- A Class E learner’s license is not valid for motorcycles.
Class E License
A Class E license is known as a standard non-commercial license for individuals with a personal motor vehicle. The maximum weight of a vehicle must be up to 26,001 pounds for an individual with a Class E license.
A list of Class E license vehicles includes:
- A car.
- A recreational vehicle or RV.
- Two or three-wheeled transport, such as a moped or a scooter (excluding a motorcycle).
- A van that can hold up to fifteen people, including the individual who is driving the van.
A Motorcycle Endorsement
A motorcycle endorsement will be added to your current Class E license, which will allow you to ride motorcycles in the State of Florida.
You must complete these two steps to obtain a motorcycle endorsement:
- Attend and complete a Basic Rider Course (BRC) from an authorized course provider.
- You have up to one year after completing the BRC course to visit a driver’s license branch and pay the necessary fees and obtain a motorcycle endorsement.
A Driver’s License for Motorcycles Only
If you only wish to drive motorcycles and you are not interested in any other type of vehicle, then you are free to obtain a driver’s license for motorcycles only.
You will have to complete these four steps:
- You must pass a Class E driver’s test.
- You must possess a learner’s permit for a whole year, without violating any traffic laws.
- You must complete a Basic Rider Course (BRC).
- You must visit the driver’s license branch to pay the necessary fees and receive your motorcycle endorsement.
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The Different Types of Commercial Driver’s License in Clearwater, Florida
To drive a commercial vehicle, such as a large truck or a bus, you first must obtain a commercial driver’s license in the State of Florida.
There are three different types of commercial licenses for commercial drivers in the State of Florida, which are:
- Class A – This license allows you to operate a truck with a maximum weight of up to 26,001 pounds. It also allows you to tow trailers or vehicles that have a weight of 10,000 pounds.
- Class B – This license allows you to operate a truck with a maximum weight of up to 26,001 pounds.
- Class C – This license allows you to operate a truck with a maximum weight of up to 26,001. It also allows you to transport up to fifteen people and dangerous materials and substances that would otherwise require you to possess an official notice.
However, there are exceptions for vehicles like tanker trucks, school buses, and emergency vehicles. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (FHSMV) has a comprehensive list of endorsements and exceptions to the law on driver’s licenses. If you wish to further understand, then get in touch with a criminal defense lawyer from The Law Place to learn more about the specifics of your case. Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation in Clearwater, where a lawyer will explain Florida law and answer all of your questions regarding your individual case.
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Possible Restrictions to a Florida Driver’s License
In the State of Florida, you can have your driver’s license revoked, suspended, or restricted according to Florida law.
There are many reasons why the state could take your driver’s license, such as a charge for leaving the scene of an accident or reckless driving on your criminal record. Under some circumstances, it may be possible for you to obtain a hardship license if your driver’s license has been suspended due to reckless driving or other charges.
For more information on possible restrictions, see the Official Florida Driver License Handbook.
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Consequences of a Florida No Valid Commercial License Charge
A charge for driving without a valid commercial license is typically classified as a second-degree misdemeanor in the State of Florida.
The penalties for this charge might include:
- Paying a fine of up to $500.
- Spending up to 60 days in prison.
- Receiving a permanent criminal record.
The State of Florida imposes severe punishments on those who are convicted of driving without a valid license. One of the harsher penalties might be receiving a criminal record, which will make it difficult for your future employment opportunities and causes an increase in your insurance premiums.
As you can probably see by now, it is imperative that you seek legal advice and representation from a reputable law firm like The Law Place. It will make all the difference to your Florida case when a skilled criminal defense lawyer is involved. We will protect your legal rights and ensure a strong defense strategy for the courtroom. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a criminal defense lawyer in Clearwater.
Contact The Law Place
If you are facing charges for having a no valid commercial license in Clearwater, then reach out and call The Law Place today. We understand the pressure that you might be under and want to be the ones to help your case.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of combined experience when it comes to assisting clients in Clearwater and all over the State of Florida. A skilled criminal defense lawyer will walk you through the process of your case, discuss the facts and details, and offer you honest legal advice on the smartest move to make in your current situation following your no valid commercial license charge in Clearwater.
Our law firm always puts the client first and foremost, and we highly value a trusting attorney-client relationship. If you choose to be represented by our law firm, then an attorney will get to work on investigating your case, gathering information and evidence, negotiating with the prosecutor, dealing with the necessary paperwork, and developing a strong defense strategy for your case. Our law firm has the necessary understanding of Florida law, and we will fight to achieve a reasonable outcome for your case.
Get in touch with The Law Place today to schedule a free consultation. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. An attorney will be waiting to hear from you.
Contact us now at (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation, and we will fight your no valid commercial license charges together in Clearwater.
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