California truck drivers have a special speed limit that applies only to large trucks. Drivers must observe this speed limit or get pulled over. If a truck driver exceeds this speed limit by more than 15 mph, the driver can be charged with a misdemeanor and face stiffer penalties.
Speed Limit for California Truck Drivers
California Vehicle Code CVC 22406 explains the speed limit that California truck drivers must follow, no matter where they are working across the state.
Big trucks and other large vehicles must stay at 55 mph or under, no matter what the posted speed limit reads. The speed limit applies to more than just large trucks:
(a) A motortruck or truck tractor having three or more axles or any motortruck or truck tractor drawing any other vehicle
(b) A passenger vehicle or bus drawing any other vehicle
(c) A schoolbus transporting any school pupil
(d) A farm labor vehicle when transporting passengers
(e) A vehicle transporting explosives
(f) A trailer bus, as defined in Section 636
The Punishment for Trucks that Go Far Beyond California’s Truck Speed Limit
Truck drivers who drive commercial vehicles well beyond the 55 mph speed limit can face criminal charges. Drivers who hold a commercial driver’s license can also be subject to this speed limit and the added penalties of speeding well over the limit.
(a) A person who operates a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, upon a highway at a speed exceeding a posted speed limit established under this code by 15 miles per hour or more, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) A person who holds a commercial driver’s license, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 15210, and operates a noncommercial motor vehicle upon a highway at a speed exceeding a posted speed limit established under this code by 15 miles per hour or more, is guilty of an infraction.
A truck driver who breaks the speed limit but stays under 70 miles per hour would face fines and court costs. These less serious infractions could also add points against the truck driver’s license.
If a truck driver is convicted of a misdemeanor, the fines multiply and can reach over $1,000 with court fees on top of that. Commercial drivers caught going over 15 mph would also face additional punishments and consequences:
- Possible Jail Time
- Additional Points on License
- Potential disqualification of commercial vehicles
- The potential of job loss due to license restrictions
Not mentioned in this is the frightening possibility of causing a collision. Trucks with large loads can be difficult to slow down once they are going quite fast. Drivers can also lose control and slam into smaller vehicles with tremendous force.
Victims in these crashes can suffer serious injuries and be surprised by massive hospital bills. When a truck driver is to blame, the driver’s commercial truck accident insurance and the company the driver works for should be held accountable.
Unfortunately, large trucking companies and corporations like Amazon can afford teams of lawyers to find ways to get them off the hook. Victims can require strong legal representation to force drivers and employers to turn over full financial support.
Contact a California Truck Accident Lawyer
After an accident on a California road involving a truck leaves you with a serious injury, you should talk over your case and your options with a California Truck Accident Lawyer. If your crash was caused by a reckless truck driver, the driver and the driver’s employer should fully support your recovery.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our skilled attorneys. It’s a chance to determine how much a reckless driver should provide to you. And if you need our help to make sure insurance companies take full responsibility for your damages, you won’t need any upfront money. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement a car insurance company must provide.
