Speeding Tickets for the Commercial Driver

Speeding tickets are particularly serious for the holder of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or those driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) or tractor trailer.

The maximum speed limit in California is 55 miles per hour (mph) for the following vehicles (CVC §22406):

  • Truck or truck tractor having 3 or more axles.
  • Any vehicle transporting explosives.
  • A trailer bus.
  • A school bus transporting any pupil.
  • Vehicles pulling any other vehicle.
  • A farm labor vehicle transporting passengers.

Attorneys for CMV Speeding Tickets in San Francisco, CA

If you receive a speeding ticket while driving a commercial motor vehicle, tractor-trailer, or another type of vehicle subject to the 55 miles per hour maximum speed limit for vehicles listed in CVC §22406, then contact an experienced traffic ticket attorney in San Francisco at Ticket Crushers.

Our attorneys represent professional drivers in the trucking industry and holders of a commercial driver license (CDL) in California. If you received a speeding ticket. Call us today for a free consultation at 1 (866) 842-5384.


Typical Speeding Limits in California

California law provides different rules for speeding. For all other vehicles, the maximum speed limit on most California highways is 65 mph. However, for 2-lane undivided highways, the maximum speed limit is 55 mph, unless posted for a higher speed.

On some highways, the maximum speed limit is 70 mph but the 70 mph speed limit only applies if there are signs posted showing 70 mph.

Under California law, no person shall drive at such a slow speed as to impede or block normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, for compliance with the law, or when the size and weight of the vehicle or combination makes the ability to reduce speed unavoidable.


Right Lane Rule for CVC §22406 Vehicles

Vehicles listed in CVC §22406 must be driven in the designated lane or lanes when signs are posted. When no signs are posted, these vehicles must be driven in the right-hand traffic lane or as close as possible to the right edge or curb. On a divided highway with 4 or more traffic lanes in one direction, these vehicles may also be driven in the lane just to the left of the right-hand lane.

When overtaking or passing another vehicle going in the same direction, drivers of such vehicles must use either:

  • the designated lane
  • the lane just to the left of the right-hand lane; or
  • the right-hand traffic lane when such use is permitted.

Additional Resources

Other Speeding Laws in California for Tractor Trailers – Visit the website of the California Legislature to find the code text of vehicle code provisions under Section 22406 for other speed laws under Article 2 which became effective on January 1, 2001. Also find rules of the road under Division 11 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. and Speed Laws under Chapter 7 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. Under CVC 22406, the law prohibits a driver from driving in excess of 55 miles per hour while driving a motor truck or truck tractor, passenger vehicle or bus drawing any other vehicle, school bus, farm labor vehicle, or trailer bus.