Never been through DOT inspection

I am actually wondering same thing. Truck is fine, but everything I do is off duty, except fueling and driving of course. And I use off duty driving to get to shippers without starting my clock. I've been playing a dangerous game since I started.

 

Brakes and paperwork. Make sure all the registrations are current. Actually go check to see if the registration is on the trailer too. Everytime you can take your permit book and make sure you have the most recent permits. If your company hauls alcohol make sure you have all the state alcohol permits and in the case of Maryland you have the small card. If you are still running paper logs make sure the logbook is current to your last change of duty status and you have the last 7 days with you. If it is winter time and you are going into a state that requires you to have chains in your vehicle that you have these chains. Do a good post/pre trip in regard to your tires and lights and light lens. Make sure there is NOTHING leaking.

 

Keep a clean and tidy truck. Live righteously, don't run around looking like you haven't slept or showered for days, don't take too many chances with your weight, and take care of mother luck and maybe you can avoid them for a good long time.

Don't try and play the game where you seek out inspections. If they want to collect fine money or collect brownie points, they will find something.

 

I personally think most of the dot horror stories we hear all the time are just stories and nothing more. In my experience, they don't mess with you unless you give them a reason to. Keep your truck clean, keep yourself clean, do everything legal, and you will never have a problem. It is not that hard to run legal. When your number does come up for an inspection, it is important to keep a professional and polite demeanor. Keep your paperwork neat and in order too. The dot officers are just guys doing their job, they are not government bullies out to get you, as many drivers would have you believe.

 

Some day, when you have a bit of extra time, stop into a scale house. Take all you truck paperwork and bills inside and ask for a courtesy inspection. Assuming everything is good, you will see what they do. Most likely, you'll get a Level III, Driver-only inspection, but you might get the Level II, Walk-around Driver/Vehicle inspection. Level I is the most thorough, when the officer puts on the grubbies and rolls under your truck and trailer; you'll get this if other problems are found, so before you ask for a voluntary inspection, make sure you have all requir documents, including those weird things like printed instructions on how to use your e-log system plus available paper logs.

It's nothing to be afraid of unless...but then, if "unless" applies, I don't want you sharing the road with me, either. Remember, they are very well trained, certified, and do it for a living. You can't fool them so don't try. They've seen it all.

 

That will get you a fraudulent logbook citation. If you're under a load or dispatched on a load, you're on duty, not off. Don't get caught.

 

Just buy a fancy,long nose pete..they all look the same..old

 

Lights, brakes, log book not current, 11/14/70 hour violations (most likely due to clerical or math errors, some legit outlawing) seem to be the most prevalent on the CSA site. Check out a few companies inspection reports on there and you'll quickly get an idea of what gets hit most in inspection.

 

Your an idiot