Oversize without permits, arguments against.

Go for it! Everyone does it all the time!!

big fines if caught. Big. Big loads big fines!
Bridge falls you but, you’re done. You. Not company. They didn’t know…

 

Please remember depending on the state/jurisdiction that no matter the circumstances if you are oversized without a permit YOU as the operator can be held responsible for all liability regardless of who is at fault.

 

Need more details such as rough dimensions and what states. Maybe the guys who “do it all the time” are perfectly legal.

 

I returned a load before with gulf states intermodal. Permit for weight, 100k. Had GA blanket permit. They got TN. Then KY wouldn’t issue one for decreasing the company says. Rerouted me to Missouri gonna run through Missouri up to Illinois. Mo wouldn’t issue one cause KY was closest route. So after that “everyone does it!!” I said they’re grown men. They made their choice. I’m not them.
Savannah GA terminal manager then said if you ain’t hauling it, bring it back!!
I did. I brought it back. Got paid both ways. A hazmat load weighing 100k. I wasn’t doing it.

 

You should absolutely not do this. You are correct in that you will be held responsible for the accident even if the other person rear ends you after chugging a bottle of tequila. They'll say you never should have been there in the first place.

Your boss and the people encouraging this type of operation are one of the biggest problems with our industry.

If you go down this road of just 100% bootlegging with not even an attempt to do it properly your boss and any driver who gets caught deserve the many thousands of dollars in fines you will receive.

If/when you are involved in an accident you will be personally named in the lawsuit to follow.

If this project has many loads your boss may be able to pull annual permits for the states you are going through and be able to do it legal and save some money.

 

Permits - whatever. I do this stuff all day long. Just load it and go.

What are they gonna do? Take your birthday away from you?

 

Question ONE.

Yes, my carrier has had their ability to run oversized loads in several states for 30-60-90 day bans, from running afoul of simple regulations and minimal costs. Just dumb drivers. CDL revocation - don't know.

Question TWO.

They will absolutely bury you under the jail if you are involved in an accident causing injury or death. Look at the billboards, and the attorney ads on TV.
Outside curfew hours, over permit limits - whatever, you betcha - you're gonna pay dearly. Even if you are half way legal.

'Sweet contract' to your boss or you, may be pennies to those that do this weekly. Yes, as you said, they are the death of the industry.

Don't get me wrong, we've all tried to follow the rules, and get tripped up on little stuff - or we might fudge on a few minutes on curfews, but if you're trying to do it right, you're well aware when you know you're doing it wrong.

I won't even go into fatality lawsuits, with the company I'm with - when you DID DO everything right - but something just went wrong.

 

My first thought was what are the dimensions? However, in all reality you/the company may get away with it for some time, but, it will eventually catch up. Just wait til you/the company gets caught and that triggers a DOT audit and they see you have been running OS/OW permits without ordering permits.

This hurts us all who do OD loads. I unloaded with a guy on Monday. We both picked up Friday. I was tall/heavy and overweight. I pull an RGN.
He pulls a stepdeck and was just wide. Says the company told him dont order any permits.....( he was a company driver).

I know its in the early stages with your company's new contract with these loads or whatever..... but, I hope if they do try to wing it without permits, I hope they get caught. Just wait until the first time you're going from point A to point B and you see that "right lane closed" and your heart starts beating fast not knowing how wide the lane is gonna be and will you fit through. This happens even when you're on the correct permitted route at times in some states.

The contract isn't so sweet if you gotta order permits? Another cheap carrier doing things cheaply. Even if its just the beginning stages. Your boss is trying to cut corners and save money at the expense of safety and rules. I hope they get caught if thats the route they choose to go.

 

I can’t believe that this “So-called” Professional driver is asking this question.