discipline for driving an unsafe truck?

Discussion in 'Trucker Legal Advice' started by newbie driver, Feb 25, 2013.

  1. newbie driver

    newbie driver Light Load Member

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    Feb 6, 2008
    Mt Horeb WI
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    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.
     
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  3. dude6710

    dude6710 Road Train Member

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    You don't have to drive anything you don't feel is legal unless a mechanic will writeoff.
     
  4. sazook

    sazook Road Train Member

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    Springfield, MO
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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?
     
    osokusmc, peterd and Meltom Thank this.
  5. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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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.
  6. Mattress Monkey

    Mattress Monkey Medium Load Member

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    Feb 1, 2013
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    Looks like you wont be working there much longer..
     
  7. chemsoldier1

    chemsoldier1 Medium Load Member

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    Lufkin, TX
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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.
     
  8. IDIeselman

    IDIeselman Light Load Member

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    Feb 23, 2011
    Ludington on the Lake
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    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.
  9. Voltrucker

    Voltrucker Medium Load Member

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    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?
     
  10. dude6710

    dude6710 Road Train Member

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    My truck looks like mador in cars but will pass a dot. Looks mean nothing.
     
  11. stranger

    stranger Road Train Member

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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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