CDL Drivers Watch-out while in New Mexico

Filip Gocev
Jun 19
2 min read

⚠️ "Penalty Assessment" Checkbox Explained

When receiving a ticket in New Mexico, police officers might casually ask CDL drivers, "Do you just want to pay and be done with it?"

Beware:Checking that box is considered an automatic plea of guilt. Once checked, the driver forever waives the right to contest or negotiate the violation in court. There is no second chance.

📌 Why Paying Immediately is Dangerous for CDL Holders

Accepting guilt without contest means:

The violation is reported to your driving record and the federal CDLIS database.
It counts as a serious violation under federal regulations.
It may lead to insurance premium increases, employment issues, and even CDL suspension if multiple violations accumulate.

Federal law also prevents CDL holders from masking violations or negotiating down to lesser charges after payment.

🛣️ Why Court is Your Best Option

Choosing a court appearance enables CDL drivers to:

Challenge the validity of the citation.
Seek reduced charges or alternative resolutions, such as a deferred sentence or defensive driving course.
Potentially have the violation dismissed entirely.
Protect your professional driving record, CDL, and employment status.

🛡️ Advice for Fleet Managers and Safety Directors

Educate drivers on the severe consequences of immediately paying tickets.
Mandate that drivers always request a court appearance—even for minor infractions.
Establish immediate access to qualified traffic attorneys for efficient ticket management.

💡 How CDL Protect Can Help

CDL Protect offers nationwide assistance and robust legal representation tailored specifically for CDL drivers. Through their extensive network of over 1,500 attorneys covering all 48 continental states, CDL Protect provides immediate legal consultation, defense, and support to fleets and individual drivers.

Benefits include: