I get a lot of questions from commercial drivers. Some of them are hard questions and some of them aren’t. Usually, the hard questions are the ones I write about. This article will be different.
Let’s assume a couple of things.

First, let’s assume that you are a commercial driver—commercial driving is your occupation.
Second, let’s assume you have received a moving violation and it was legitimate. It wasn’t a case of faulty radar, mistaken pacing or any of the other things that can cause an unjust ticket. The officer had you dead-to-rights, there were multiple witnesses and you knew better.

Is it time to take your medicine, pay the piper, get your comeuppance, pay the ticket and move on? No it is not. When you receive a moving violation, you should fight the ticket. Yes, it can be a hassle and yes, it can be expensive—probably more than the initial fine. But, as a commercial driver, it is likely that not fighting the ticket will be more expensive in the long run. As far as hassle goes, do know that you do not have to be present to fight most moving violations—you can hire a traffic attorney to represent you. Traffic attorneys are easy to find and do help.

The second important thing to remember in fighting the ticket is to begin work on it immediately. I have talked to many drivers who have said something along the following: “When I got the ticket, I didn’t really have the money to fight it, but I have a little now and would like to get that ticket taken off my MVR, can you recommend an attorney?” Think about a ticket being like concrete: when you first pour the concrete, there’s a lot of ways you can work with it, shape it, clean up any messes. Once the concrete sets? It gets really hard to work with, shape or clean up. The same holds for a moving violation, once that is on your driving record/MVR, it is a bear, a really mean bear, to get taken off.

In summary, don’t just pay your tickets, fight them. If you don’t have the money right now, find the money, it will be cheaper to you in the long run. (For those of you who are DOTJobHistory clients, contact us for a referral if you can’t find help yourself.) Finally, don’t wait. The time to contest the ticket is immediately and work on preventing the ticket from going on your record rather than trying to get it taken off later.

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Koch Companies

Koch (pronounced "Cook") Companies is a privately held company founded by Stan Koch. They began serving customers in the mid 1950's as a manufacturer's representative of chain, cable, rope, twine and other related products. As they expanded into the transportation industry, Koch gained a reputation for being a company that customers could count on. Over the years, eight dedicated companies have joined forces to become one strong entity... the Koch Companies. By keeping up with technology trends, Koch as become a leading, full-service transportation and distribution company offering service that is second to none.

Koch Companies value drivers and will stand behind you every step of the way. They realize that it’s their drivers who’ve earned Koch the reputation for being a company that customers could count on. As a leading, full-service transportation and distribution company, you’ll run with a strong, financially stable company that’s still small enough to treat you like family.

Koch (pronounced "Cook") is a family owned company which was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company has grown to become a major carrier of consumer products nationwide, with more than 700 power units. Started as Stan Koch & Sons Trucking, Inc. over 30 years ago, today they are one of the eight strong members that make up the Koch Companies.

Koch's many divisions offer opportunities for drivers living all across the country. Coast to coast and north to south, they have it covered. Depending on where you live, they may be able to offer you local delivery, regional, over-the-road, dedicated, van or flatbed. Their dispatch system and Qualcomm communications allows your driver manager to understand your needs to get you the most miles while still giving you good home time.

Give your future a jump start with Koch Companies!

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