DOT rest areas

Your surprised by this?

 

Can they knock? Yes.

Will they knock? I don't know. Like many trucking stories, some drivers claim it happened to a guy they know...

Do you have to answer? I guess that's up to you. If I was legally parked (which I would be sure of before I went to bed), I might look out to see who it is. I might even ask them what they want. If I was off-duty (sleeper berth), then I would politely decline the invitation for an inspection until such time as I was on-duty.

Can they do an inspection in a rest area? Yes.

Can they do an inspection in a truck stop? Yes. Will they? Likely only if they follow you in or pull you over and direct you there.

 

Most of the time unless you are not parked legally the DOT will leave you alone.

 

Sorry officer but I'm on my mandated 10 hour break right now.
Come back in 11 hours when I go back on duty and I would happy to get that inspection.

 

If you are parked in a rest area that doubles as a "weigh station " it is possible they may wake you after sunrise to get you to move so they can do their business but this is not a common practice as some would have you believe .

However, if you are parked in an unsafe manner or an uncourteous manner you bet they will wake you up and make you move and will be happy to write a ticket and cut you lose.

Point is, don't push your luck if there are other options.

 

I've heard people claim that being in the driver seat when you answer the door opens an invite to being on duty. Never had that happen, but if you're snoozing and they go to set up, typically they'll knock and ask you to move. I only notice this on the beginning rows of the rest area.
What I would do if I were to be woken up for an inspection. Tell them you have no more time on your clock, wait till they go away, then fire the truck up and get out of there. Worry about putting your pants on later lol

 

Ive seen DOT doing inspection in truck parking area on I70 just west of Denver.
Good thing I didnt pull in there to take a break.