Minimizing Exposure to DOT Legally?

So I’ve noticed since I made the switch to owner operator with my own authority that I am a magnet to DOT. How can one legally minimize this frequent exposure? I’ve thought of these so far.

• Dress professionally as a truck driver.
• Sign up for a weigh station bypass service.
• Avoid driving on national DOT inspection days.
• Have cab curtain open while driving.
• Keep truck looking clean, including inside cab; regular truck/trailer washes.
• Keep truck looking presentable/non-suspicious; possibly new paint job for older trucks.
• Have a truck company logo or some kind of nice design; appearance of an established company.
• Follow all laws even those that may not result in a citation/violation such as driving on the incorrect lane, not signaling when changing lanes, not moving over (when possible) for vehicles on either side of the road, and so on.

 

I’ve had PrePass since day one of driving under my authority, and it does help a lot, but there are times when I am “randomly” stopped while driving on the freeway. I’m counting about 5 of these stops in a year. This never happened to me while being leased onto a mega carrier, not even once.

 

AL, SD, AZ, and IA off the top of my head.

 

For reals. Hahaha. I taught my students to not have anything on the dash because it can block the air vents for the windshield defrost, and that can be dangerous.