What are DOT inspection levels?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Harley, Mar 9, 2008.

  1. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    I have never had a experience that was bad with a DOT inspection. I keep my paperwork in the condition they want and expect to see. I have had a couple of issues with individual officers, one was over my camera / recorder running. When I informed him he was being recorded he was not happy, I called CHP and requested a supervisor and they ask why and I told them I did not feel safe and a sgt was there in minutes. After that everything went as expected. The other was a CHP issuing a speed ticket off my log book. Stating that I could not have traveled the distance in the time logged. Turns out the judge was better a geography than the officer and he figured my speed at 47/55 not 70+/55. So there is justice, be polite and take your day in court, make notes and take your video to court with you. Oh yea do not volunteer information, tell them what they ask but arguing with the officer will not be in your best interest. And remember he is a officer of the court do not feed the opposition.
     
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  3. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    5 out of 6 inspections were perfect. The one that wasn't was in a company truck and they did not keep the lights working. No way could anyone reach one on the top of the trailer in a drop yard.
     
  4. auditor

    auditor Bobtail Member

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    a good pre trip inspection will keep you from getting any violations, as well as keeping your logs current.
     
  5. Dave 1960

    Dave 1960 Road Train Member

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    I had to pull into the I-26 East Bound Scale Newburry County, SC two days ago.

    One thing he noted SHOULD have been caught on my pre-trip. One thing he either did not notice or took pity on me (trailer insp went out back in April)

    And one thing I could not check myself (nearly too much brake 'stroke' on both sides of axle 2.

    He was a very nice officer and that was GREAT for my first DOT inspection.

    He may have let trailer slide because it did pass all his checks.
     
  6. Grandiego

    Grandiego Medium Load Member

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    A couple of years ago I was pulled over in Ohio by the Upper Sandusky rest area for a DOT inspection after the officer noticed I had a headlight out. I always do a pretrip so I know the thing was working earlier in the morning and would have expecially been noticable in the dark. I had left my lights on during the day when I got pulled over. Anyway, sure enough, the light must have gone out after the sun came up so I didn't notice it while driving. The officer that did my inspection was thorough, professional, and polite. Like you, I'm glad my first DOT inspection was a positive experience as well.
     
  7. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

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    No reason not to check that yourself. That's one of the most important checks you do IMO. Isn't knowing how to do that one of the parts of any state pre-trip test?

    Get your self a 2 x 2 cut to the length to hold the brake pedal down and slide under the steering wheel or get one of those large wood working clamps and turn the grips around.

    If you don't have a way to chock your wheels set your trailer brakes and disconnect the supply line to hold the tractor and check the tractor brakes. For the trailer use the spike.
     
  8. scottied67

    scottied67 Road Train Member

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    When I was with my trainer we were running late on a load. He was cussing and killing his fuel economy through the steep mountains, (that I had built up to about 9mpg by running student mandated 55-58[in the flats]) he pulled into a weigh station and parked for an hour then called his guy at jit to tell them we got pulled in.

    Without paperwork for proof won't they know he was lying? He said it was a little trucker's secret for getting out of late load service failures.
     
  9. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    I keep my nose clean most of the time.

    I always wear my seat belt. I might put it on as soon as I start the truck or wait until I'm headed out no later than the on ramp.
    Well one day I left a truck stop and an Iowa State Trooper seen me put my seat belt on the ramp. Even though seatbelts are a secondary offense and you can't be pulled over for it in IA. He used an inspection as an excuse and wrote me up for it. He said you should of put it on before you saw me.

    Another time at the I-5 scales in San Diego I had a thorough inspection. Truck, trailer and me. When he got done he handed me a failed inspection for no brake lights on the trailer. What? I went outside and wedged my leather logbook against the pedal, walked to the back of the trailer and they worked fine. That dirty ***. I told him they worked. He said they didn't when I looked at them. #$*&#
     
  10. Dave 1960

    Dave 1960 Road Train Member

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    That ^ does not sound like a nice guy like the two of us got....
     
  11. bitcomet510

    bitcomet510 Bobtail Member

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    if there are violations at the inspection and no tickets were given, would this go on your record? If there's too many will they suspend the cdl?
     
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