OK, got stopped in WA, on I90, WB past Snoqualmie. I was OK on gross and axles, but, as soon as DOT saw me he pulled me in for inspection. He did a quick level 2, and than he called me in to bring papers. Everything was OK, so I expected a no violation inspection report. To my suprise, he hands me the paper and said :" Only violation that I found was the one that I pulled you in for....You have a spinner knob on your steering wheel..." No ticket, just a warning.
Under violations discovered is "Local laws (RCW 46.37.375 ) Spinner knob attached to steering wheel"

I was stunned, because you can byu them at any truck stop in USA, including a great state of Washington...He was OK, rolled his eyes and started laughing when I told him that you can get them at TA 3 miles down the road.

So, for a future reference, where can I find local laws, so I dont get cought with my horn button too big, or maybe my seat too far reclined back?

I check FMCSA site, but now do we have to check another 50 sites for local laws???

More and more red tape for truckers.....

I see this argument all the time and, well ... I'm stunned anyone even uses it. This isn't personal to the OP, but if you're relying on a truckstop to keep you legal, you deserve whatever tickets you get. They sell all manner of things at truckstops that are not legal for drivers to use or consume.

As far as spinner knobs go, they were somewhat useful when all we had was "armstrong steering" and 47 turns lock-to-lock. Now? They should be relegated to the same pile as fuzzy dice, bobblehead dolls and mood lights.

IMHO.

YMMV.

Just because you can buy them doesn't make them legal.....just like fireworks. All the states outlawed those spinners in the late 1950's, or early 1960's. They were a saving grace before power steering when all there was was armstrong.

You may access the state laws through the state website then search for the particular law. The other way is to do a search for the State of Washington Compiled Laws. But in this instance the cop was correct and you should remove that darned thing.

From a retired federal DOT official.

First of all , just because you can buy something at a truckstop doesn't mean it's legal . The radar detectors are a good example . It would be impossible to know all state and local regulations . You can check the FMCSA website but some states have their own interpretation of the laws . For example , FMCSA defines a Class A as a vehicle with a gvwr over 26,000 lbs. towing a trailer over 10,000 lbs. gvwr or any combination with a total combine GVWR over 26,000 lbs. By Federal regulation a pickup with 11,000 lb. GVWR could pull a trailer with 14,000 lb. GVWR and not require a CDL . However , some states require a CDL A when pulling a trailer over 10,000 lbs. GVWR with any vehicle for commercial use .
BTW I have a spinner knob on my steering wheel and have gotten CVSA stickers for Level 1 with no violtions 3 times .

I am not arguing that he was right, since he clearly was, and the thing went off right at the scale parking lot. But I got my level 1 sticker a day before in Billings, MT, and there was no violations....

No argument there.....

I have a Classic XL longnose, and the wheels turn about 10 degrees either way. Sometimes that spinner knob is a lifesaver

As do I.
..

''Spinner knobs save lives''

best thing since strawberry ice cream..

Ya right

Radar detectors can be bought in a TS. But I wouldn't get one. Unless you are looking to get a BIG ticket and have it smashed.

As for local laws. Thats one of the down sides of trucking. You are exspected to know ALL the laws of ALL the states you run into. Like you have nothing better to do.

Did you know that in Utah, If you move over to let someone on the freeway and there is an accident with in a mile of you that can be linked back to you haveing moved. it's your fault No ######, really. it's true.

__________________
I Don't Care If You Respect Me Or Fear Me. Just Get Out Of The Way. Cause I'm Coming Through

There' very few in CT- the biggest one, if that, is mud flaps. They are req'd by FMCSR but are req'd in CT.

There's tons of stuff you can buy but may not be legal until you apply it. Usually all packaging states "Check You Local Laws" before install etc. Kinda like license plate covers- you can buy them but not have them in CT- You can buy a marijuana "smoking device" at any cheap store, but until you add MJ it's legal!

Well, it all came down to spinner knob, but that wasn't my question...

Kabar brought us up to speed with a local Utah law, and Trooper One told us something about CT local laws (and little something about a marijuana "smoking device")...I didn't know about that Utah law, did you?

Original question was, where can we find about local laws that are more strict than FMCSA, short of going to every state's web page?

Thanks