While on 10 hour break/sleeper berth, can DOT interupt to do inspections.

The other night I pulled into a rest area and climbed back in the sleeper berth. About an hour later a knocking on the side of my truck woke me up and there was a Trooper there wanting to do a safety inspection. Can they actually do this? thus causing you to now record that on line 4 and interrupt your break. Making you start it all over again.

 

one word....yup

 

Not if you don't answer...........

 

Had it happen to me once and the stupid DOT just kept frickin knockin until I answered it....I think he was watching the trucks and knew I hadn't gotten out

 

What state was this?

 

I would call the troopers supervisor.
They are not supposed to do this, and his boss will let him know that.
The only way that most Supervisors will allow it is if you are idling in a state that does not allow it.
Then they have probable cause and can/ will inspect.

 

Yeah these morons preach safety and then wake you up and ruin your rest. Brilliant. All in the name of ego and power. Nothing to do with safety because you are already sleeping which can't be any safer !! True ego - trippers. ####.

 

that is one of ohio's favourite tricks--i never sleep in their rest areas--just the truck stops

 

There is no just cause for disturbing ones sleep to do an inspection. Someone like this has underlying issues towards truckers. Even off duty though you have to obey the commands of a lawman.

About 5 years ago I was shut down at the Flying J outside Phoenix. The place was packed and I parked outside a normal spot beside the curb well out of everyones way. I'm one that is particular about parking where you are suppose to but I was tired and desperate.

Anyways about 3am a trooper beat on my door and told me to leave. I pleaded with him I was tired and out of hours. He was a total smart arse and threatened to take me to jail and impound the truck. He drove an unmarked car and I couldn't make out anything on his uniform. He could of been a security guard for all I knew. There was about five others he was making move also.
I called the AZ State Police and they said it was okay to move. They also explained to me that a 4 wheeler was just killed by an 18 wheeler at that exit. It wasn't even the 18 wheelers fault but this arse was chasing us off in retaliation. He made some bad remark about truckers. Luckily a parking space opened as I was leaving. Afterwards I thought about what's he doing on private property throwing his authority around? Makes me believe he was a rent a cop. He was about 6'5" and had a gun. I was too tired to argue with him!

 

You can argue with him but not the gun.