If You Get a Ticket in Mississippi

Traffic violations committed in a commercial vehicle in Mississippi may result in a temporary or permanent loss of your license, depending on the severity of the violation. Commercial drivers typically face more severe fines and penalties for violations, even if they are considered minor. It is also important to note that for commercial vehicle drivers, tickets and violations that occur in your personal vehicle can also affect your commercial driving record.

If you receive a ticket, before you do anything, it’s important to contact an attorney experienced in commercial driving laws. In most instances, they can help you get the number of points on your record reduced by the judge, enable you to attend driving or traffic school to reduce your points total, and – most importantly – keep your job safe.

All traffic violations and suspensions of your CDL must be reported to the state and to your employer.

Moving violations for commercial vehicles in Mississippi include speeding up to 15 miles over the speed limit, illegal lane changes, and failure to stop at a red light or stop sign. Before you pay any fines for a ticket, no matter how minor, make sure you speak with a knowledgeable legal professional. Paying a fine is the same as pleading guilty, which can have a permanent effect on your driving record.

The following offenses are considered serious violations in Mississippi:

• Speeding 15 miles or more over the limit: Considered a serious offense that can result in disqualification after multiple violations.
• Reckless driving: Includes aggressive behavior, excessive speeding, or endangering others on the road.
• Improper lane change: Failing to signal or safely maneuver between lanes is a common cause of accidents and citations.
• Following too closely: Also known as tailgating, this violation increases the risk of rear-end collisions and is treated seriously in commercial driving.
• Any traffic violation involving a fatality: These violations trigger automatic penalties and may include disqualification, suspension, or criminal charges.
• Driving a commercial vehicle without a CDL, without a CDL in possession, or without the proper endorsements: Operating a CMV without the required credentials is illegal and can lead to severe penalties and disqualification.

Drivers who are convicted of more than three serious violations within three years will have their license revoked. Drivers convicted of two serious violations within a three-year period will be disqualified from driving for 60 days. Drivers who receive three violations will be disqualified from driving for 120 days. These penalties will occur no matter what state you were driving in when the violation occurred.

The following major offenses will result in a one-year disqualification of your CDL in Mississippi:

• Refusing to submit a chemical substance test: Refusal to take a drug or alcohol test as required by law can result in immediate disqualification and additional legal consequences.
• Operating a commercial vehicle under the influence: Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs—whether prescription, illegal, or over-the-counter—is strictly prohibited for commercial drivers.
• Operating a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol content of at least .04%: Commercial drivers are held to a stricter standard than private motorists; a BAC of 0.04% or higher is grounds for immediate suspension.
• Failing to render aid in an accident: Leaving the scene or failing to assist in an accident violates both ethical and legal responsibilities and can result in severe penalties.
• Driving a commercial vehicle while disqualified: Operating a CMV with a suspended, revoked, or canceled CDL is a serious offense and may carry criminal penalties.
• Negligence resulting in a fatality: If a commercial driver’s careless or unsafe actions lead to a fatal crash, they may face disqualification and potentially criminal charges.
• Any crime involving a motor vehicle that is punishable by more than one year in jail: Felonies committed with a CMV—especially while hauling hazardous materials—carry longer disqualification periods (up to three years).

Any driver convicted of more than one major offense will receive a lifetime CDL disqualification.

Drivers who are convicted of using a motor vehicle to distribute, manufacture or transport controlled substances will be disqualified for life.

Railroad crossing and out-of-service order offenses in Mississippi
Mississippi has specific laws for commercial vehicles and railroad crossings as well as out-of-service orders for drivers who commit certain violations, such as driving under the influence of alcohol. Drivers who violate these laws are subject to penalties and fines. These include:

• Out-of-service order, first offense: Results in a 90-day disqualification from operating a commercial vehicle (180 days if operating a hazardous materials or passenger vehicle), plus a mandatory $1,500 fine.
• Out-of-service order, second offense: Leads to a 1-year disqualification (3 years for hazmat or passenger vehicles), and a $1,500 fine. This applies if the second offense occurs within 10 years of the first.
• Out-of-service order, third offense: Carries a 3-year disqualification from operating a commercial vehicle, plus a $1,500 fine, reflecting the increased severity of repeated violations.
• Railroad crossing violation, first offense: Results in a 60-day disqualification. This includes failing to stop when required or not ensuring the tracks are clear before crossing.
• Railroad crossing violation, second offense: Triggers a 120-day disqualification if it occurs within three years of the first violation.
• Railroad crossing violation, third offense: Leads to a 1-year disqualification, showing how repeat offenses at railroad crossings carry increasingly severe consequences.

Railroad crossing offenses may also include a fine up to $4,000.

As a commercial driver, your license and driving record are critical to your success and future employment potential. Don’t put your livelihood at risk by failing to protect yourself. For a minimal cost, you can have the protection and expertise of a knowledgeable legal professional who is dedicated to protecting your good driving record.

Please note that your state and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regularly update these CDL requirements. Please visit the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s Driver Service Bureau website and the FMCSA website for the most authoritative and up-to-date information regarding CDL requirements and processes.

Traffic violations committed in a commercial vehicle in Mississippi may result in a temporary or permanent loss of your license, depending on the severity of the violation. Commercial drivers typically face more severe fines and penalties for violations, even if they are considered minor. It is also important to note that for commercial vehicle drivers, tickets and violations that occur in your personal vehicle can also affect your commercial driving record.

If you receive a ticket, before you do anything, it’s important to contact an attorney experienced in commercial driving laws. In most instances, they can help you get the number of points on your record reduced by the judge, enable you to attend driving or traffic school to reduce your points total, and – most importantly – keep your job safe.

All traffic violations and suspensions of your CDL must be reported to the state and to your employer.

Moving violations for commercial vehicles in Mississippi include speeding up to 15 miles over the speed limit, illegal lane changes, and failure to stop at a red light or stop sign. Before you pay any fines for a ticket, no matter how minor, make sure you speak with a knowledgeable legal professional. Paying a fine is the same as pleading guilty, which can have a permanent effect on your driving record.

The following offenses are considered serious violations in Mississippi:

• Speeding 15 miles or more over the limit: Considered a serious offense that can result in disqualification after multiple violations.
• Reckless driving: Includes aggressive behavior, excessive speeding, or endangering others on the road.
• Improper lane change: Failing to signal or safely maneuver between lanes is a common cause of accidents and citations.
• Following too closely: Also known as tailgating, this violation increases the risk of rear-end collisions and is treated seriously in commercial driving.
• Any traffic violation involving a fatality: These violations trigger automatic penalties and may include disqualification, suspension, or criminal charges.
• Driving a commercial vehicle without a CDL, without a CDL in possession, or without the proper endorsements: Operating a CMV without the required credentials is illegal and can lead to severe penalties and disqualification.

Drivers who are convicted of more than three serious violations within three years will have their license revoked. Drivers convicted of two serious violations within a three-year period will be disqualified from driving for 60 days. Drivers who receive three violations will be disqualified from driving for 120 days. These penalties will occur no matter what state you were driving in when the violation occurred.

The following major offenses will result in a one-year disqualification of your CDL in Mississippi:

• Refusing to submit a chemical substance test: Refusal to take a drug or alcohol test as required by law can result in immediate disqualification and additional legal consequences.
• Operating a commercial vehicle under the influence: Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs—whether prescription, illegal, or over-the-counter—is strictly prohibited for commercial drivers.
• Operating a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol content of at least.04%: Commercial drivers are held to a stricter standard than private motorists; a BAC of 0.04% or higher is grounds for immediate suspension.
• Failing to render aid in an accident: Leaving the scene or failing to assist in an accident violates both ethical and legal responsibilities and can result in severe penalties.
• Driving a commercial vehicle while disqualified: Operating a CMV with a suspended, revoked, or canceled CDL is a serious offense and may carry criminal penalties.
• Negligence resulting in a fatality: If a commercial driver’s careless or unsafe actions lead to a fatal crash, they may face disqualification and potentially criminal charges.
• Any crime involving a motor vehicle that is punishable by more than one year in jail: Felonies committed with a CMV—especially while hauling hazardous materials—carry longer disqualification periods (up to three years).

Any driver convicted of more than one major offense will receive a lifetime CDL disqualification.

Drivers who are convicted of using a motor vehicle to distribute, manufacture, or transport controlled substances will be disqualified for life.

Railroad crossing and out-of-service order offenses in Mississippi
Mississippi has specific laws for commercial vehicles and railroad crossings, as well as out-of-service orders for drivers who commit certain violations, such as driving under the influence of alcohol. Drivers who violate these laws are subject to penalties and fines. These include:

• Out-of-service order, first offense: Results in a 90-day disqualification from operating a commercial vehicle (180 days if operating a hazardous materials or passenger vehicle), plus a mandatory $1,500 fine.
• Out-of-service order, second offense: Leads to a 1-year disqualification (3 years for hazmat or passenger vehicles), and a $1,500 fine. This applies if the second offense occurs within 10 years of the first.
• Out-of-service order, third offense: Carries a 3-year disqualification from operating a commercial vehicle, plus a $1,500 fine, reflecting the increased severity of repeated violations.
• Railroad crossing violation, first offense: Results in a 60-day disqualification. This includes failing to stop when required or not ensuring the tracks are clear before crossing.
• Railroad crossing violation, second offense: Triggers a 120-day disqualification if it occurs within three years of the first violation.
• Railroad crossing violation, third offense: Leads to a 1-year disqualification, showing how repeat offenses at railroad crossings carry increasingly severe consequences.

Railroad crossing offenses may also include a fine up to $4,000.

As a commercial driver, your license and driving record are critical to your success and future employment potential. Don’t put your livelihood at risk by failing to protect yourself. For a minimal cost, you can have the protection and expertise of a knowledgeable legal professional who is dedicated to protecting your good driving record.

Remember, the most important thing to remember when you receive a ticket is that you should never just pay the ticket or the court fees without first talking to a legal representative who understands trucking laws. While you want to maintain a clean driving record, unforeseen violations can happen. When they do, you need expert legal protection. Drivers Legal Plan, the Nation's Leading CDL Defense Law Firm, is ready to defend your rights and your career.