Got First Citations/violations Today... What Now?

Well, after 4 years of a clean commercial record, I stupidly passed a slow moving truck in the left lane in a PA turnpike tunnel today. Hindsight is 20/20 and tells me that slowing down and losing 45 seconds of time was the much better choice, but in the moment, I thought I could get away with passing. I’m fully aware it was stupid and impatience got the best of me... lesson learned.

On DOT inspection report, I received an improper lane change violation and a lane restriction violation. Two citations received also that were ‘dropped’ to regulation of PA turnpike. Citations carry no points against license, but will be on MVR obviously.

My question is: now what? What does this mean? Are those two citations linked to the inspection violations to where they will get dropped if citations do, or are they separate situations now and the inspection violations are there for good? (Well, 3 years).

Current employer didn’t seem super upset, so I think I’m fine here, but overthinking me will just assume I’m fired for a few days lol. But, how seriously will these two violations impact me in the job hunt going forward? Have been OTR for a year and a half now and have recently decided I’m ready to start being home daily again, but not sure what kind of curveball this will be for the job hunt. Obviously a clean record is the best record, but what exactly constitutes a ‘bad’ record? In other words, will these violations put me in the typical driver category in a prospective employer’s eyes or am I now in the high-risk, bad record category?

Appreciate any feedback, and am fully understanding of the inevitable “it’s not hard to read signs”, “learn some patience”, “way to jeopardize your career” comments.

I wouldn't think you'd have too much to worry about. Those citations don't exactly fit into the "bad" category, in my opinion. Those kinds of violations happen all the time, and the officer simply had a "gotcha!" moment. It doesn't make it right, what you did. But it's not like speeding or reckless driving.

That said, they won't exactly help either. Obviously you don't want to get any more citations going forward.

I think Turtle is exactly right on this. We know you're beating yourself up over this, but as long as you have been a solid driver this will not affect your current job negatively. As far as seeking a different job it may work against you but only minimally.

Be careful and don't let dumb stuff happen to you like this. You gave an officer a golden opportunity and he took it.

Hi Brandon,

I got a warning on an inspection for the same thing in georgia. I passed in the left lane with a sign that said no trucks and received a lane violation.

It gave my carrier a couple points on our CSA score and didn't effect our insurance premiums at all. Honestly, the industry cares about out of service violations a lot more than these little slap on the wrist things.

As far as the job hunt, you should have a copy of your MVR , PSP, and your DAC report. All can be got online with minimal effort. Some places weigh violations are much as citations so be prepared for them to count it against you. But if this is the only thing you have on your record for the past 3 years it shouldn't make or break anything. Good luck and be careful.