Drivers of commercial vehicles in California have to follow a number of specific regulations. These regulations are set forth by the Department of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Drivers who ignore these rules can face charges under California Vehicle Code Section 34506: Commercial Vehicle Failure to Comply with CHP Rules.
You can learn more about CHP rules with this article. Go over the penalties for a VC 34506 conviction right here. The professionals at the Simmrin Law Group can even help you review some legal defenses for VC 34506 accusations.
CHP Rules for Commercial Vehicle Operators in California
Commercial drivers in California must adhere to the CHP regulations in order to legally operate their vehicles. CHP has set forth a number of guidelines regarding the maintenance, operation, and equipment of:
- School buses
- Youth buses
- Tour buses
- School pupil activity buses
Additionally, commercial vehicle operators must follow CHP rules regarding:
- The hours of service they can perform
- The transportation of hazardous material
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in VC 34506 charges.
Examples of Failure to Comply with CHP Rules
You can learn more about VC 34506 charges by considering these examples:
Man A operates a school bus in California. Per regulations set forth by the CHP, he must include a certain number of precautions and warning signs in his bus. He decides he doesn’t really need them all and disregards this guideline. He is later stopped for a traffic violation. A police officer notices his bus is not in compliance with the CHP rules. He could be charged under VC 34506.
Man B knows he is only allowed to drive a certain number of hours in his truck every day. He exceeds the time limit, but decides to keep going because he is not done with his last delivery. He later hits another vehicle after falling asleep at the wheel. In addition to other criminal charges, he could be convicted of failure to comply with the CHP rules for driving too long.
The Results of a Conviction Under VC 34506
Drivers in California can face misdemeanor charges for failure to comply with the CHP rules. A conviction under VC 34506 can result in:
- Fines of up to $1,000
- Jail time of up to six months
The penalties could instead include misdemeanor probation. Commercial drivers must obey all probationary requirements if they are assigned to a period of probation by the court.
Additional Regulations for Commercial Drivers
Commercial drivers throughout California are expected to follow a number of additional rules. Some of these rules are covered by:
- California Vehicle Code Section 21702: Driving Hour Limits for Bus/Truck Drivers
- California Vehicle Code Section 23152(d): Driving a Commercial Vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.04 Percent or Higher
- California Vehicle Code Section 35551: Overweight Vehicles
Charges for driving under the influence (DUI) can be especially damaging for commercial drivers. A DUI conviction can result in the suspension of a commercial driver’s license, damaging the driver’s ability to work.
Legal Defenses for VC 34506 Accusations in California
You can get help building a defense for VC 34506 accusations by reaching out to a criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles right now. A legal professional can go over all aspects of the charges you are facing. Building a strong defense for your case might require your lawyer to show that:
You Did Not Violate CHP Rules
Commercial drivers should only be prosecuted under VC 34506 for disobeying a CHP regulation. If your lawyer can demonstrate that you adhered to all relevant CHP rules, you could avoid a VC 34506 conviction.
You Were Arrested Without Probable Cause
Sometimes, law enforcement officers in California search vehicles or make arrests without probable cause. In this event, they can violate your legal rights. Your case could be dismissed in this situation.
You Needed to Violate a CHP Regulation
In some cases, a driver has no choice but to violate a CHP regulation. If you were dealing with an emergency situation, it is possible that you needed to ignore a CHP rule that you would otherwise have followed.
Get Help Handling VC 34506 Charges in California
The Simmrin Law Group can offer the help you need to deal with California Vehicle Code Section 34506: Commercial Vehicle Failure to Comply with CHP Rules charges. Reach out to us today to learn more about your legal options. Call (310) 896-2723 or complete our online contact form now.
You can start working on your case with our criminal defense lawyers in Los Angeles. Find out how we can help with a FREE initial case evaluation.