First Level 1 Inspection

You may want to consider moving that. Cause any CHP with a little time on his hands can cite you.

 

So the “pig” gave him a break in reality?

 

Excellent! Bravo!

 

Wrong. The second that you grabbed that steering wheel, you chose to be inspected, like it or not.

 

I wanted to address this comment. Before I start it is important to understand there is no language on Part 350 that says any state cop has a federal DOT certification. You can look, but it is not there. Part 350 is the bible for the relationship between the states and the FMCSA on these inspections and sets up how the states are paid for them. This is referred to as The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) There are many things the states have to do to get this MCSAP money! To better understand what is happening in all the scales in the US a person MUST understand what MCSAP is and the requirements it places on the states. Also, part 350 is NOT published in that JJ Keller little green book because it's not really something truckers and carriers need to be concerned with.

While those inspectors might not be cops in the traditional way, you can take it to the bank they can issue citations or they would not be inspecting. All across the US, there are scale masters that are not certified DOT cops, but they can write overweight tickets. I remember once talking to what used to be a NC DMV cop in a rest area, Said cop said he did not have general law enforcement powers, BUT was DOT certified and could inspect and write citations based on the inspections.

The bottom line is this is NOT controlled by the feds. The Feds set the training standards and the states have to designate a MCSAP reporting agency. (part 350.201 (c) (d) (i) (m)) It is this agency that certifies a person. It is up to the states how they want to operate when it comes to these MCSAP inspection reports and the general powers they have. YOU can rest assure that cop can and in most cases regardless of if they are a cop as defined by that state's rules CAN write a citation.

So I would imagine if ANY person is inspecting a truck in a scale and they say I am giving you a pass, you can rest assured it is the truth.

 

This guy was inspected in California. Shows what they are looking for.

 

So the DOT is saying these trucks are being built incorrectly and shipped from the factory with an already existing violation, that is, hoses rubbing together or against something, whether new or not.