Question:
I was told by a few people that the Driver's Legal Plan was not a good idea. I know it's supposed to protect your CDL if you ever get a ticket, but exactly how true is it. If anyone has anything to add to my question please do. I just don't want to get into something like that if it's not correct.
Sweet Whiskey signing out...
Peace

Answer:
Ya might try.Pre-Paid Legal Services.com some drivers here on trucknet swear by them.
It's like you don't leave home without it, just my 2 cents worth

Answer:
I got Open Road, so far they are 1-1, didn't cost me anything other than money sent to california for bail, but I got it all back.
If at first you don't suceed, get a bigger hammer

Answer:
I have it and would not drive without it..I have been off the road for the past year but still have it. It's good in your private vechicle also
They have refered me to lawyers for different things other than trucking and I got a good discount..

Answer:
I have an Open Road hat and key ring.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"
_________________
RC Universe


Answer:
http://www.pplsi.com
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.
(800)654-7757(ask for Commercial Driver's Dept.)
I've had the regular coverage since I was about 16/17yrs old & I've had the Commercial Driver's plan since 1990.
I have Never had to pay for any of the citations that I've turned in.(one time I did have to pay $29 for correspondence Traffic School for a ticket I received in California{Trooper clocked me doing 87mph in 55mph zone}.....but, did NOT have to pay for the citation & since I took the traffic school, it did Not go on my MVR.)
I would NOT leave home w/o my Pre-Paid Legal Services,Inc.(Do NOT get it confused with TVCrap.)
I've also had Open Road, thru the carrier I used to drv for.
Open Road, is also a Great service.(I guess they should be b/c they are a subsidery of Pre-Paid Legal Services,Inc.(at least they Used to be part of PPLSI many yrs ago....I'm not sure if they still are or not.)

Answer:
My driver wouldn't be without it!! He went to an accredited course through the local college, and his instructors even recommended that everybody in the class get into some type of legal plan.

Answer:
....that not all jurisdictions return the same favorable results that have been posted above.
Here for example, all pre paid legal cases wind up with one of about three different attourneys, and when court comes around, about 30% of the time the best they can hope to do is get the judge to drop a couple miles if the speed is close to one of the various thresholds. About 70% are found guilty just as they were written, no reductions or dismissals. The judge here doesn't fine big money, but he isn't particularly fond of "calling an orange an apple" either ie:He doesn't like to reduce a speed violation to a defective speedometer, especially when the driver utters those popular words ... "I just wasn't paying attention". Usually the client isn't present ... and the lawyer can't testify (wasn't there on the roadside), so can only ask questions ... and the judge is just there to listen to the evidence and referee court and render decisions ... so guess who gets to do most of the talking, (and if he's sharp, he'll have lots of notes to refresh his memory with).
If you go with a plan, and they (plan people or agents or "sellers") tell you to laminate it to your CDL and present it face up to any officer who may ask to see your CDL, follow those instructions very closely. Police love to see a CDL presented with a PPL card laminated so it is the first thing seen. --> NOT!
There are some here who may tell you that I'm "off base" here, but I make my observations based on experience.
"I'm just a doin' my job, I'm the ..." (well, you know) ...
... and whatever you do, have a SAFE TRIP... -->

Answer:
Also, Mr. Speeder,
KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!
If you act like your going to fight a ticket, Mr. Speedo Cop will make sure he takes lots of notes!!

Showing Mr. Speedo Cop, that you have Pre-Paid Legal is like slapping a him in the face!!!
Take them stupid Pre-Paid Legal stickers off your truck too! That'll get you around back quicker at the Chicken Coops too! In addition, they’ll cause Mr. Speedo Cop to take visual shots of you as he walks up to your door!
Remember almost ALL cop cars have a camera that’s recording everything you say and do!! A friend of mine will act as if he shuts off his camera when he gets a mouthy person in his car. However, he also runs a tape recorder and keeps all those tapes! Tapes are cheap, so it comes in handy for him when transports drunks and others to the local lock-up! It’ll also come in handy if a violator mouths things that can come in handy if he must go too court!
Remember, Mr. Smokey is a person just like us! He’s doing his job, and doesn’t like it if you play him for dumb!
If you can’t get a grip on what I’m saying just do as the Chicken Trucks say!
"Keep your hammer in the toolbox"!
Hammer = Gas pedal on the floor! -->
************************************
Indiana RoadRunner
A legend in his own mind!
I'm Not saying that it works for "Everyone".....I'm just saying that it has ALWAYS Worked for (ME).(maybe I'll sing a different tune when it Stops working for me...but, for now, I'll Keep it.)
--------------------------------------------------
quote:
--------------------------------------------------
originally posted by Crystalpistol:
"If you go with a plan, and they (plan people or agents or "sellers") tell you to laminate it to your CDL and present it face up to any officer who may ask to see your CDL, follow those instructions very closely. Police love to see a CDL presented with a PPL card laminated so it is the first thing seen"
--------------------------------------------------
I, for one, have NEVER done that.
????? I wasn't singling you out, I was only attempting to make a point in a humorous manner (well, it was meant to be humorous) about some aspects of PPL (includes any prepaid legal plans). I was being a bit facisious (spelling again?) in a transparent way I thought. I was having some fun --> .
Ohhh-Kay ..... being more serious now, I'll say I have stopped drivers with a full realization that they were probably going to be released on a warning because the violation was slight, and they instead left with paper in hand because they left me no option.
I mean, how do you legitamately warn someone for running 10 over when they are telling you that you are going to spend days off in court over a ticket you haven't decided to write yet ... so you write it (or them) then as it becomes obvious they won't be happy any other way.
Back about 10 years ago or so, it was an every day thing to be handed a CDL with the prepaid legal card laminated to it, and folded so that it covered the CDL, so that the officer couldn't miss it. I handed one back to a driver and asked for his CDL three times before he got the message and folded the card back behind the CDL so I could see the CDL, and there it was, a CDL issued by my state, and since it remains property of the state, I then had him remove the card he had laminated to the CDL before he left. He wanted to be a smart a$$, and in doing so turned a simple stop into a remmemberance for us both.
Most people now who have PPL and like services are wise enough to keep it to them selves, but PPL and such services still advocate advertising the fact, so they can sell more plans.
If it were me .... I'ld probably have a plan from one of the services, but I wouldn't have the stickers on the vent windows ... and under no circumstances, would I laminate any thing to my CDL, reguardless of state of issue. -->
choclit snda also says:
As a matter of fact I do Not say a word.(which REALLY ticks the officer off.) There's No need for Me to say anything.(Besides, the officer ALREADY Knows that he/she will be issuing me the citation & there is NOTHING that I can say or do to change that....soooo, there is NO Need for Me to open my mouth & possibly make things worse.)
I simply give the officer the documents he/she asks for & as soon as they finish I get on the phone to Pre-Paid Legal.
It doesn't tick me off one bit. I'm going to say this (below please)... with the full realization that there are going to be others that will jump all over this posts because it is totally at odds with what they have decided "is the way of the world".
Many times I stop a car or truck with the idea of issueing a summons at the very least. Many times I stop a car or truck, I get out of my car and approach without having made up my mind because the circumstances or violations are less severe. There are even times when I walk up with the intention of writing, and have a change of heart, and warn instead.
I do meet drivers who probably say too much. I do meet drivers who ask for a break when they would have been better off not saying anything. I also meet many drivers who do openly talk. I (and my co-workers I am sure) realise there are all kinds.
When I stop a violator who says nothing, I like it from my perspective, because they haven't interacted with me, it's just another stop, more impersonal if you see what I mean. I mean when a driver tells you about his kids or his dog, it is the first step to a more personal contact, and sometimes when they leave, I know I did my job, I know I was fair, but it still sticks with me a few seconds or moments.
When they remain absolutely quiet, and say nothing, I do my thing, and get on to the next one much quicker. So --- please --- spread that phylosophy around some.
Take care,
"I'm just a doin' my job, I'm the ..." (well, you know) ...
... and whatever you do, have a SAFE TRIP... -->
[This message was edited by Crystal Pistol on November 10, 2002 at 20:55.]

Answer:
My hat and key ring were free.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"
_________________
RC Universe


Answer:
Yes, I do realize that you were only "Generalizing", Crystal Pistol, when you made the 1st post.(I did NOT take it personal or any other way.....sorry, if it seemed like I did.) -->

Answer:
No apology needed, I thought maybe you did take offense, all is A-OK! Just having some fun, and making a point that might help someone.
-->
"I'm just a doin' my job, I'm the ..." (well, you know) ...
... and whatever you do, have a SAFE TRIP... -->