What CDL and commercial-vehicle drivers need to know
In Michigan, a charge of Disobeying a Traffic Control Device is governed by MCL 257.611. The statute requires all drivers to obey official traffic control devices unless otherwise directed by a police officer or temporary traffic authority. A “traffic control device” includes signs, lane-control signals, regulatory placards, temporary construction signage, and overhead signals specifically authorized by Michigan law.
For truck drivers operating in and around Taylor—particularly along Telegraph, I-94, Eureka Road, and industrial corridors near distribution hubs—this citation is one of the most common non-speed-related moving violations issued to commercial vehicles.
What the Law Actually Says
civil infraction to fail to follow an official traffic control device. Michigan does not treat this offense as a misdemeanor unless it is coupled with other conduct (for example, ignoring a device and causing an accident involving injury). On its own, however, disobeying a device is strictly a civil infraction.
Michigan’s driver’s license sanctioning system assigns three points for a violation of this type under the Secretary of State’s published point schedule. These points apply to CDL and non-CDL license carriers alike, though the downstream consequences for commercial drivers are more significant.
The statute does not define a fixed fine amount, because fines are set by local district courts. In Taylor, citations are handled in the 23rd District Court, which follows local schedules approved by the chief judge. While the monetary penalty is typically not the greatest concern for a truck driver, the entry of a moving violation on a CDL record carries substantial employment and federal regulatory implications.
How This Violation Commonly Occurs in Commercial Operations
Truck drivers in Taylor frequently encounter traffic control device violations in situations such as:
- Following GPS routing into restricted or “No Trucks” zones.
- Failing to obey lane-control or left-turn prohibitions at major intersections such as Telegraph & Northline.
- Proceeding through a yellow that turns red when a signal cycle is calibrated for passenger vehicles.
- Not complying with construction detours or overweight/overheight sign instructions.
- Rolling through a stop sign on private industrial roads that are treated as authorized traffic control devices.
Even if the maneuver is unintentional, Michigan law does not require proof of intent; it only requires proof that the driver did not comply with the posted or authorized control device.
Consequences for Non-CDL Drivers
For a regular motorist, this citation results in:
- A civil judgment on the driving record.
- Three Michigan driver’s license points.
- A fine and mandatory state assessments.
- Potential insurance-rate impact depending on insurer underwriting.
- No suspension or mandatory court appearance is required unless other factors are present.
CDL-Specific Consequences (FMCSA & Employer Impact)
1. CSA / FMCSA implications
A Michigan conviction for a moving violation that reflects failure to obey a traffic control device is categorized under FMCSA’s Unsafe Driving BASIC.
Roadside or conviction data from this violation can generate CSA severity points for the carrier.
The driver’s PSP (Pre-Employment Screening Program) record will show the violation if it results from a citation or roadside inspection.
FMCSA does not classify this offense as a “serious traffic violation” under 49 CFR §383.51 unless it involves a railroad crossing or results from other specific conduct. However, it still counts as a moving offense that many employers monitor closely.
2. Employer and insurance repercussions
Carriers routinely review PSP records and internal safety scores. Even a minor moving violation can affect:
- Route assignments
- Eligibility for certain dedicated accounts
- Retention and safety-bonus programs
- Internal progressive discipline policies
3. Exposure during DOT inspections
If the traffic-control violation accompanies a stop for a regulatory inspection, any recorded defects or logbook issues may create additional CSA impact. A simple disobedience charge often opens the door to deeper enforcement.
How the 23rd District Court (Taylor) Typically Handles These Cases
The 23rd District Court allows represented drivers—especially CDL drivers who cannot risk points on their record—to negotiate or litigate citations. Outcomes vary by case, evidence, and driving history, but common practices include:
- Review of officer notes, dashcam footage (if available), or intersection camera evidence.
- Consideration of commercial-operation factors such as wide turns, signal timing, or device placement.
- Potential negotiation to amended infractions that do not carry points or do not appear as moving violations on a CDL abstract. Michigan courts have legal discretion to allow amendments when supported by the facts and the prosecutor’s or city attorney’s concurrence.
- When necessary, evidentiary hearings to challenge visibility of signs, legality of placement, or compliance with the Michigan Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD).
Having counsel appear on behalf of an out-of-state or OTR driver is common and permitted for civil infractions.
Practical Steps for a CDL Driver Cited in Taylor
- Do not simply pay the ticket. Payment equals an admission of responsibility and an automatic moving violation on your CDL record.
- Preserve evidence, including dashcam footage, GPS routing, and photos of signage.
- Check whether the sign or device was temporary, obstructed, or non-compliant with MMUTCD standards. This can be a meaningful defense.
- Consult a Michigan traffic attorney before the deadline on the ticket. Representation is typically allowed without your personal appearance.
- Act quickly because once a civil infraction is reported to the Secretary of State and transmitted to FMCSA systems, it cannot be removed or masked retroactively.
Maintaining a clean CDL record is a career imperative. In Taylor and throughout Michigan’s Downriver corridor, enforcement trends show increasing attention to commercial-vehicle compliance at intersections, construction areas, and truck-restricted zones. A prompt, informed response to a Disobey Traffic Control Device citation can protect your driving record, your carrier’s CSA profile, and your long-term employability in the trucking industry.