If you were caught driving a commercial vehicle without a valid driver’s license in St. Petersburg, then you will need to understand your legal rights. There are serious consequences for operating a commercial vehicle without a valid driver’s license, and you should consult with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
It is important to understand that driving while your license is suspended or a revoked commercial license are different charges to a no valid commercial license charge, and the penalties will vary depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding your individual case. If you received a charge for driving without a valid commercial license, then you should know that it requires no proof of knowledge in the State of Florida. The prosecutor only needs to prove that you were operating a commercial vehicle without a valid commercial driver’s license, and you will need the skills of a criminal defense lawyer to battle the charges.
A criminal defense lawyer from our law firm will develop a strong case against your charges of no valid commercial license with skill and efficiency. We will investigate your case and ensure that you have not been wrongfully charged. If you put your faith in us, then we will work hard to win a favorable outcome for your case in St. Petersburg.
If you call our office now, then you can speak to a criminal defense attorney and receive honest advice on the best move to make in your current situation. Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation.
No Valid Commercial License vs. Suspended or Revoked Commercial License in St. Petersburg, FL.
A charge of no valid commercial license is different from a charge of driving with a suspended or revoked commercial license in the State of Florida. The two offenses carry very different consequences. Florida Statute 322.03 explains the law on driving a commercial vehicle without a commercial driver’s license. The three different types of commercial licenses include Class A, B, and C, and they are only valid in the event that they have not been suspended, canceled, expired, or revoked by the State of Florida.
If you committed the crime of driving a commercial vehicle without a valid commercial driver’s license, then the prosecutor does not require proof of knowledge against you. The prosecutor only has the responsibility to prove that you were operating a commercial vehicle without having a valid license, and they will probably try to prove the status of your current driver’s license by showing a certified driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles in the courtroom. However, it will not fully establish the lack of a commercial driver’s license.
If you committed the crime of driving while your commercial license was suspended or revoked commercial license, then it will not count towards getting classified as a habitual traffic offender in the event that you are convicted. If you are caught driving with a suspended or revoked license, and you accumulated three or more convictions within the time period of five years, then you will lose your license for up to five years. The serious penalties of driving with a suspended or revoked commercial license do not apply to a charge of no valid commercial license.
However, a conviction for driving without a valid commercial license will result in a criminal record. A criminal record will have a long-lasting effect on your job, future employment opportunities, insurance rates, and more in the State of Florida.
Types of Driver’s Licenses in St. Petersburg, FL.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) issues seven different types of driver’s licenses to citizens in the State of Florida.
A teenager who is starting to drive will receive a learner’s license before they earn a Class E license (a license for non-commercial drivers).
The ones who will require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) are mainly truck and bus drivers, whereas motorcyclists will have to apply for a motorcycle endorsement (an add-on to their Class E license). There are also other types of endorsements that people can obtain for specific vehicles.
Class E Driver’s License
The Class E license is the standard driver’s license for people who own a personal motor vehicle. You are allowed to operate a motor vehicle up to the weight of 26,0001 pounds, non-commercially. The Class E license list includes:
- Cars.
- Recreational vehicles (RVs).
- Scooters, mopeds, and other kinds of two or three-wheeled vehicles (excluding motorcycles).
- Vans with space to carry up to 15 people (including the driver).
- Trucks.
Class E Learner’s License
The Class E learner’s license permits are given to people who are learning to drive. A learner with a permit will have to follow these requirements:
- The learner is only allowed to drive in daylight hours during the first three months of having a permit.
- The learner is allowed to drive at night until 10:00 p.m. after the first three months.
- The learner is required to have a passenger over the age of 21 years with a driver’s license to supervise their driving.
- The learner’s vehicle can weigh up to 8,000 pounds.
- The learner is unable to ride a motorcycle.
If you have obtained a learner’s permit, then you must have already met the requirements of the drug and alcohol course. You can complete the four-hour DATA course online by using a computer, tablet, or phone.
If you currently have a driver’s license or you have a previous license from another state, then you are not required to take the drug and alcohol course.
Motorcycle Endorsement
The motorcycle endorsement can be added to your Class E driver’s license in order to allow you to ride a motorcycle. You must meet the following requirements in order to earn your motorcycle endorsement:
- You must go to an authorized course provider and complete BasicRider Course (BRC) or the BasicRider Course updated (BRCu) to learn the basics of riding a motorcycle.
- You must pay the fee to obtain your motorcycle endorsement by going to an authorized driver’s license branch within one year of completing the course.
Motorcycle-Only Driver’s License
The motorcycle-only driver’s license is for people who are not interested in driving a car. If you want to obtain a motorcycle-only endorsement on your driver’s license, then you will have to complete the following:
- You must pass the Class E knowledge test.
- If you are over sixteen years old, then you have to hold a learner’s permit for up to one year without committing a traffic violation or getting a conviction.
- You must complete BRC or BRCu motorcycle course from an authorized course provider.
- You must pay the fee to obtain your motorcycle-only endorsement from an authorized driver’s license branch.
Commercial Driver’s Licenses
If you want to operate a commercial vehicle, such as a truck or a bus, then you will need to obtain a commercial driver’s license. There are three different classes of commercial driver’s licenses:
- Class A – A Class A license is suitable for operating a truck with a weight of up to 26,001 pounds.
- Class B – A Class B license is suitable for operating a truck with a weight of up to 26,001 pounds or more.
- Class C – A Class C license is suitable for operating a vehicle with a weight of up to 26,001 pounds. In this case, the vehicle can be used to transport over 15 people, and you can also transport hazardous materials (with an official notice).
There are a few exemptions, like driving an emergency vehicle with a Class E license instead of a commercial driver’s license that would usually be required. However, there are other vehicles that require a special endorsement to operate, like a tanker truck or a school bus.
You can visit the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) page on license classes and endorsements to find more information on licenses.
Driver’s License Restrictions in St. Petersburg, FL.
A driver’s license could be restricted for a number of reasons in the State of Florida. For instance, if you do not comply with the laws and regulations on your license, then you could be issued a ticket, or your license could get suspended.
Restrictions are represented by a code written on your driver’s license. For example, Code A requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses when you are driving. If you want to see a full list of restrictions, then you can visit the Florida Driver License Handbook.
If your driver’s license has been suspended or revoked, then you might have the option to apply for a hardship license. A hardship license is a special license for business purposes only, which limits you to driving to and from your job.
Penalties for No Valid Commercial License in St. Petersburg, FL.
Driving a commercial vehicle without a valid commercial license is classed as a second-degree misdemeanor in the State of Florida. The penalties for a no valid commercial license include:
- A fine up to $500.
- Spending up to 60 days in prison.
- A permeant criminal record.
However, most of the cases involving no valid commercial licenses tend not to result in a prison sentence.
Defenses to No Valid Commercial License in St. Petersburg, FL.
A criminal defense lawyer from The Law Place will be able to build a defense strategy that will contest a charge of no valid commercial license in St. Petersburg. Our law firm has a number of possible defense methods that we could use to battle your charges, such as:
- Did the police officer have a valid reason or cause to pull you over and make you stop in traffic?
- Were you unlawfully held in custody after the traffic stop?
- Do you actually possess a valid commercial driver’s license?
- Were you not occupying public roads such as highways, streets, and other areas?
- Is there a lack of evidence to prove that you did not have a valid driver’s license that could have been issued by another governmental entity at the time of the traffic stop?
Contact The Law Place Today in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you were caught driving a commercial vehicle without a valid commercial license in St. Petersburg, then you should enlist the services of a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. You could be facing serious fines for a no valid commercial license, and you will need all of the help that you can get.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience when it comes to defending no valid commercial license charges in St. Petersburg and throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm has the necessary knowledge and resources to fight your charges and win a favorable outcome.
If you have questions in regard to a charge of driving a commercial vehicle without a valid driver’s license, then you should call a criminal defense lawyer from our law firm now. They will discuss the details of your case and answer all of your questions. Our phones are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation.