Can DOT Highway patrols search your truck

That's an excuse. If they can't tell the inside size of your sleeper from the dimensions outside, then the academy is surely lacking on whom it graduates.

Cops need permission to search your vehicle. That's why they ask, "Mind if I search your vehicle?" If you give them permission, all bets are off. They can tear up what they want. They can take out panels, throw them on the side of the road, and guess who gets to put it back together. And if the last chump to drive your truck left some illegal substance before he quit, guess who gets nailed. You have to look out for #1, because Mr Officer is not your friend. He's not there to help.

"Sorry officer, I don't consent to searches."

Nothing to hide, everything to protect.

 

Had a retired Virginia DOT trooper tell me, "never give permission to search your truck". Be very careful when you are asked for permission, listen very carefully to the question because you are dealing with experts when it comes to questioning you. Circumstances prevail if the trooper will pursue the search. Remember, you cannot be left alone while the officer goes for a search warrant. He will have to call another officer to stay with you while he goes for the warrant. If it is in the middle of the night, he is not going to wake a judge up to get the warrant either. We don't have too many rights left but this is one of them, so stand your ground.

 

They will try to word screw you as well. You'll be thinking of what to say, and come up with something the cop will twist into consent. The king of words when dealing with a search is "I do not consent to searches." Make it your creed, your words of wisdom. I recite them on the cb every time I pass a cop rummaging thru someone's trunk. People have to remember that nothing good comes from giving up their rights.

 

Same thing when they walk up t the right side of your truck and try to open the passenger door. Keep it locked and window up, If they want to do business on the right side then roll up the drivers window lock the door move to the passenger seat and open the window. You do not have to left them in the passenger door just because they want you to. Also learn to keep your mouth shut, questions are there for a reason, there is no small talk on a traffic stop. Sounds simple, you know you were traveling at 63 mph? well no answer is better than a yes. If you admit or answer anything they note it on the back of the ticket. When your going to take a ticket to court always ask for a copy of the officers ticket, both sides, then you'll get is notes.

 

About 4 months ago I got pulled over for the first time in my career and the officer jumped up on my passenger side door while my codriver/husband was in the jump seat and asked if would it be ok (for safety purposes) if my husband would go in the sleeper and let him sit in the jump seat. My husband responded sure, but just be aware we have a Pitt Bull and a yappy schnauzer. He immediately decided it would be safer standing on the step and Asked for both our licenses and logs for both of us. He then proceeds to do an inspection finding a tail out. (That I fixed on the spot. AZ roads had vibrated the bulb loose) He handed us back our licenses and a passes inspection form. Problem was I was the one driving and it was all my information, but he had put my husbands name on the form. When asked he said oh it doesn’t matter and had my husband sign the inspection form. Basically they are going to do what they want and you can be reasonable about it or not. Knowing your rights is important, but choosing your battles is also important. Turned out as I knew it would it was a very big deal that he’d screwed up the inspection form and could’ve cost me my job had he decided to lie when my company safety department called to verify what happened. It also could’ve cost the company for a log violation. I was on duty but my husband who was off duty was inspected. A little kindness goes a long way. Also, you never know when there will be an issue requiring further contact with that officer. How would I have proven that I WAS driving not my husband without the officer agreeing? The paperwork said differently.

 

"About 4 months ago I got pulled over for the first time in my career and the officer jumped up on my passenger side door while my codriver/husband was in the jump seat and asked if would it be ok (for safety purposes) if my husband would go in the sleeper and let him sit in the jump seat."


I do not have time, but by what you state, there are several issues that could have been a problem First and foremost. The inspection was written on you husband was who logging "off duty". What if an audit is conducted and you are logging "driving" and your husband logging "off duty" or "sleeper". This comes as "falsification" A driver being inspected is "on duty". Then you should have never allowed the trooper inside the cab without a "search warrant". He might acted like a "I am on you side", but you better realize the moment you granted him permission, he could have searched your truck and don't be sure that they can't find something.

I gotta to go. Talk later. There are several other issues that could have been trouble.

 

What Grouch said.

How would you have proven you were driving? Make the officer do it over, properly. Or, at the very least, have your husband sign it with the note that he wasn't driving - you were.

 

I've had very few problems with leos.
Their doing a job and I'm doing one, I treat them accordingly.

 

It always amazes me it's always the same people that have problems with every leo. When 99% of the people have no problem, but someone has a problem with every leo they encounter I have serious doubts it's those leos

 

Are you saying that that 1% have problems with every LEO they encounter? What of the people who only have a problem with one LEO? Afterall, that's all it takes.