Commercial Vehicle Exceeding 55 mph
Operating a commercial vehicle, truck tractor, or vehicle towing a trailer in excess of 55 mph on a California highway.
This guide is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. TicketClear is a self-help document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not represent clients. Review all prepared documents carefully before submitting. Fine amounts are estimates and vary by county and surcharge schedule.
What is a Commercial Vehicle Exceeding 55 mph ticket?
This law prohibits commercial vehicles like big rigs, trucks towing trailers, and certain passenger vehicles from exceeding 55 mph on California highways. Even when the posted speed limit is 65 or 70 mph for regular vehicles, commercial vehicles must stay at or below 55 mph.
Fines typically range from $238 to $490 depending on how fast you were going. You'll receive 1 point on your driving record, which can affect your commercial driver's license (CDL) and may trigger CSA points that impact your carrier's safety rating. Insurance premiums often increase significantly for commercial drivers with speeding violations.
A CVC 22406 violation typically raises commercial auto insurance premiums by 15-30% and remains on your record for 3 years. For CDL holders, this violation is reported to the FMCSA and adds CSA points, which can affect your employability and your carrier's safety rating.
What the Law Says
What the Officer Must Prove
- 1Your vehicle was a type regulated under CVC 22406
- 2Your speed exceeded 55 mph
- 3The speed was measured by a properly calibrated device
How Drivers Get This Ticket
A truck driver hauling freight on I-5 is clocked at 62 mph in a zone posted at 70 mph for cars
Cited under CVC 22406 because commercial vehicles are limited to 55 mph regardless of the posted limit for other vehicles
A driver pulling a large travel trailer with their pickup truck is traveling 58 mph on Highway 99
May be cited if the combined weight or configuration qualifies under the commercial vehicle definition
An empty box truck travels 57 mph on a highway with light traffic
Still subject to citation since the 55 mph limit applies whether the truck is loaded or empty
Common Defenses for Commercial Vehicle Exceeding 55 mph
These are the defense arguments that appear most often in successful Trial by Written Declarations for this violation.
Vehicle was not a regulated commercial type
CVC 22406 sets a 55 mph maximum for specified commercial vehicles. If your vehicle was not a commercial truck, bus, or other regulated type, challenge the application of the statute.
Speed trap challenge
Radar enforcement requires a valid engineering survey supporting the speed limit, even for commercial vehicles.
How to Address This in Your Declaration
- ✓Vehicle registration showing weight or configuration doesn't meet CVC 22406 criteria
- ✓Dashcam footage showing your actual speed or traffic conditions
- ✓GPS or ELD (electronic logging device) data showing your speed at the time
- ✓Calibration records for the officer's speed measurement device
- ✓Photographs of road conditions, signage, or traffic at the time
- ✓Maintenance records if claiming speedometer malfunction
⚠️ What NOT to Do
- ✗Assuming the posted speed limit applies to your commercial vehicle — the 55 mph limit overrides higher posted limits
- ✗Ignoring the ticket because you're from out of state — California will report to your home state and the violation affects your CDL nationwide
- ✗Admitting to speeding when explaining circumstances to the officer
- ✗Failing to request a Trial by Written Declaration, which lets you contest without appearing in court
- ✗Not checking whether your vehicle actually qualifies under this code section
Get a personalized summary
Optionally describe your situation — road conditions, time of day, officer position — and get a tailored document preparation overview.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Vehicle Exceeding 55 mph
Does the 55 mph limit apply even when the highway speed limit is 70 mph?▼
Yes. CVC 22406 sets an absolute 55 mph maximum for covered commercial vehicles regardless of the posted speed limit. Even on highways where cars can legally drive 70 mph, your commercial vehicle cannot exceed 55 mph.
What vehicles are covered by this 55 mph limit?▼
The law covers truck tractors, any truck or bus towing another vehicle, school buses with passengers, farm labor vehicles with passengers, and any vehicle with three or more axles. Your pickup truck pulling a large trailer may qualify.
Will this violation affect my CDL?▼
Yes. This violation adds 1 point to your California driving record and is reported to the FMCSA. It contributes to your CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) score, which carriers and the DOT monitor closely.
Can I fight this ticket with a Trial by Written Declaration?▼
Yes. You can submit your defense in writing without appearing in court. This allows you to present evidence like GPS data, dashcam footage, or calibration challenges. If you lose, you can request a new trial in person.
What if I was just going with the flow of truck traffic?▼
Going with traffic flow is not a legal defense to speeding. If other trucks were also exceeding 55 mph, they were also violating the law. You're responsible for maintaining legal speed regardless of surrounding traffic.
Ready to prepare your defense documents?
Upload your citation and TicketClear generates a personalized Trial by Written Declaration based on your specific situation. Starting at $49.99.
Check if my ticket qualifiesTakes 2 minutes. No payment required to check.
This guide is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. TicketClear is a self-help document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not represent clients. Review all prepared documents carefully before submitting. Fine amounts are estimates and vary by county and surcharge schedule.