DOT fines... how common?

I don't like the looks of your company already.

A list of fines that "YOU" would have to pay for mechanical violations ????

I don't pay fines for mechanical violations. They either fix it before I move, or it doesn't move. If it goes bad (tail light blows, etc) while in motion. They will pay that too....one way or the other.

But then again, maybe you meant they were simply showing you what to do in order to avoid being fined...for their sake.

I don't mind "paying" the fine for the company. So long as I get re-embursed.

 

If the fine is small, I'd pay it. Your company can't be expected to send a service truck to you so one of its mechanics can do a pre-trip each morning before you set out. You must be the one to do that, and in order to motivate you to do the checks, the laws are sort of "stacked" against you. This is why you have to sign your log book pre-trip sheet every day--eveyone knows drivers won't do the checks unless they know their ##### are on the line. It's understandable it is this way, as anything that is made by man will tend toward being used up over time and require frequent inspection.

You should do daily checks to cover your end. If you get fined for something, the fine will USUALLY be low, say, less than about 200-300 bones. Don't get stubborn at a port and say "I'm not going to pay it". You may find yourself out of a job, and if you find yourself out of said job, you will lose a lot more than the 200-300. I know it sucks when you have to pay a fine for somebody else's equipment, but you are the only one the company has to make sure that equipment is in good order. Make sure it is and you should be fine. If you get nipped someplace, write it off to experience and keep on rolling.

Pride and stubborn attitudes are expensive, boy. A LOT more expensive than a mere fine at a port will be.

 

Thanks that is helpful.

 

Here's a map of state bridge laws.[/quote]


Thanks that is helpful.

 

Every driver has the right to refuse to move a load due to mechanically unsafe equipment etc. If a driver leaves with the unsafe equipment, it is assumed that he is OK with driving it...
I have refused to do a job before because I felt that it was unsafe, and all dispatch does is call around to see who will take it, and invariably someone will. However, the fine will go on their licence and not mine!
The company I work for will pay fines on the machinery, but I dont want them against my name!

 

Where do you folks work? My company has an owner resonsibility paper that we carry in our trucks. It covers weight, loading, registration and mechanical. I do agree that a proper pre-trip is of paramount importance and any defects should be corrected before you leave. I have to ask how you justify paying out of pocket for those items? Seems to me again that you are working for a non-caring company. Items break down or burn out on the road. As for weight, if there is a scale, use it. If not, how are you responsible for the weight? As for bridging, check the states in which you travel to avoid any issues. If you break down on the highway, you should be compensated for ALL of that time. Just my 2 cents.

Drive safe

 

I had a company fine me for all failed inspections at weigh scale on their own equipment

 

How does a 9 year old thread get dug up?

 

Don't worry. It's common. They'll get cha. I broke their scales once on a horrible day. Fresh from school knowing NOTHING... I say NOOOTHING.... ( Sgt Klunk I think) one month into the joyous occasion of my first live load evah. Count boxes of meat. Yep that was a horrible day. Fines started at 3000 and continued from there.

 

Truck drivers get tickets every day around the clock it is VERY common. Speeding, improper/restricted lane use, Being in prohibited area's like inside the I 285 loop around Atlanta. My understanding is that the Georgia DOT stopped a lot of trucks in Atlanta over the long weekend on I 20, 85, 75 and several US highways for this. Just to be clear contrary to many truck stop attorneys opinions a none certified MCSAP/CVSA/DOT officer can write you a ticket for DOT violations. They just can't do the inspection report where CSA history is made.