My first run in with the DOT, and subsequent trip to jail. Was over a Bingo Card...and a host of other violations

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I'm gonna kill the next SOB who tells me I look stressed out.

--Unknown

What was the nationwide speed limit back then? It wasnt until the late 80s that 55mph became the mandated speed limit, right?
Great thread! These are some interesting stories!
I do remember the multiple license plates on trucks. I always wondered why there werent 48 though. Maybe they wouldnt all fit? :P

The 55 became the national speed limit in 1974.

I remember that too well. I was pissed !! I got my DL's in '75

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I'm gonna kill the next SOB who tells me I look stressed out.

--Unknown

I got mine in 74 and then they lowered it on me. That was what really hurt.

Me too I "got" my DL's in 75... I started driving when I was 12 LOL...aaaah the joys of living in the sticks...and the 60's & 70's.

The DL's just made it legal without a grown up in the car LOL.

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I'm gonna kill the next SOB who tells me I look stressed out.

--Unknown

You beat me out on legal driving. I got mine at 15. Got the Chauffers License then. Had the badge to go on your cap. Like you, it just made it legal and I recall the auction people wanted me to get the "truck license" to haul the cows. Was driving a Farmall M tractor pulling a wide mouth combine one day. Would pull off and let cars go by. Being nice. Highway patrolman had to visit. Asked "How old are you son?". I replied , 12 SIR.... Gave him the old southern respect. "Do you have a drivers license?" I then went to attorney mode and told him you did not have to have a drivers license to drive a farm tractor on the road in MS. He said, You are doing a good job. If he had said "continue on" he could have passed for a sergeant. (Surely they did not expect us to WALK to TOWN then, did they?)

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Bye Y'all

In 1954-55 the limit in MS, VA, and CA was 45 MPH on trucks. MS and VA I could show documentation on. 13 of us (unlucky #) were hauling cattle from Macon, MS to Baltimore, MD. VA had a 45 limit and radar. We were near Radford, VA and were all eating. Talking. ""Pluto" a buddy popped off "If I had a V8, I could sail right along too. I popped back. If you could drive, that R190 would keep up. One thing to another. I told him I'd take his truck and outrun him in mine. He took me up.
(Stay with me now-This gets detailed)
So we swap and all pull out. He has my V8 with 8 speed RR and I have his R190 , 5 direct and 2 speed. Away we go up old US11 strung out into the night. VA had radar. Also had a little bulldozer. Also had some signs saying road work ahead. Its nite, we are moving right along. Hit the first 3 lane hill and Pluto misses the RR crossover from 5th to 4th, slumps him a little so I just gave him a blast of horn and walked on by him.
So we are over hill and picking it up nicely. Dozer sitting on the side. Dozer has the radar set on it left track aimed headlight high right at us. Next flat stretch the pickup cars (3) are ready. Sacked up 12 of us in arival order. Pluto came chugging along amd breezed on by. They turned us around and escorted us back to the fairgrounds in Radford. Circled us around and issued tickets for 55 mph. Told us we couuld post $50.00 cash bond and be tried in our absence and fined $35.00 and be mailed a refund.
We immediately suggested just post $35.00 cash, no receipts needed and we boogy with no paper trail. Good honest cops. Three weeks later I received a letter from The Commonwealth of VA containing a check for $15.00.

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Bye Y'all

I got my dl's in 73, at that time around here they just had "speed at your own risk" signs posted on the highways. In 74 when the 55mph came into effect state troopers were hitting the radar hard, i got to know that trooper a little to well. These "back in the day stories are great and the pic's are even better, keep'em coming and thanks for paving the way.

My father began driving in 1970 and he ran team with his boss in 1973 right before the Speed limit was dropped. He was going across NV with his boss in the bunk of their truck a needle nose Pete with a 1693 CAt with a 5 main and 4 speed aux with a set of 3 speed eatons in her also. Bossman had told him NEVER EVER EVER put her in very top gear and mash well he did that night he has a warning ticket from the cop that he had to buy breakfast at Boomtown for 147 MPH cop had his radar set to go off at 140 and my dad DID. He was clocked at the 52 yard line and my dad was begining to slow her down for the breakfast stop right after that. I have seen the ticket and also talked to his boss and HE confirmed the story. This was when Boomtown was truck friendly not like today.