Can anyone tell me where to find in the fmcsr that an employer cannot force you to drive an unsafe truck, my employer is asking me to drive a 1982 l9000 ford that looks like it hasn't passed a dot inspection in 15 years. I told them I would not drive this truck and the manager was actually very understanding, it was my direct supervisor that was went off the deep end about it. For anyone that is wondering I have been driving for 5 years and have never been asked to drive a truck in such horrid condition untill now. Any information and advise would be great.
discipline for driving an unsafe truck?
Discussion in 'Trucker Legal Advice' started by newbie driver, Feb 25, 2013.
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You don't have to drive anything you don't feel is legal unless a mechanic will writeoff.
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Did you not want to drive it because it looked crappy, or were there specific things wrong with it that you noticed?
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A truck can have cosmetic defects and be perfectly safe. There are no laws against driving an ugly truck...the body could be held together with duct tape as long as it is mechanically sound.
Diesel Dave Thanks this. -
Looks like you wont be working there much longer..
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Go on duty on your logbook and perform a pretrip and then fill out a DVIR. If you can find defects or deficiencies that "deadline" the tractor then you can't be required to operate it. But just saying that it doesn't look safe doesn't relieve you of responsibility for your job.
On a side note, I'd love to drive an old Ford even if it was a clunker. -
Really sounds like you are butthurt being forced to drive an old ugly truck, if it is unsafe...don't drive it, if it is safe, do your job and be thank full you have one.
Voltrucker and Poacher Thank this. -
The guy my dad works for, the only things he runs is junk lol. He sells the decent equipment and buys junk. But his trucks pass the inspections. They may look like their held together with 1 screw but they get the job done. This is the best tip you'll ever hear(well probably not) but no matter how bad the condition the truck is in, keep it clean and they won't bother you. Seriously, if you were a cop, would you pull over the dirty truck or clean truck?
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My truck looks like mador in cars but will pass a dot. Looks mean nothing.
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Just drive an old truck with a 238 or 318 Detroit. No matter how good or bad they look, no DOT cop want's to crawl under them.
Hardlyevr Thanks this.
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