Answers Fast....

I don't know the fines either, but it's your license that will get dinged, not his.

 

Tell him it is illegal to drive it and leave it at that.

 

It's a major disaster that hasn't happened yet...

 

You have every right to stand up and say the truck is unsafe and here's why. You're even backed by the FMCSA. However, just remember that TN is a "Employment At Will" state and unless you have a contract they can fire you on the spot and don't need a reason. So if I were you I'd would go about the situation very diplomatically. You always want to protect your CDL and never drive a truck that's in that type of condition. Maybe you should give the boss the list and suggest to start with the major safety items first.

 

So perhaps you are finding out just WHY the other tech left. You need to ask yourself, "is this job worth my life, or the life of someone else?" As was said, be diplomatic about it, if that is possible. But no way should you drive this vehicle until it is in drivable condition.

 

I think a good guide would be would you put your loved ones on the same road as the truck? If you can't honestly say yes to that then you shouldn't operate it as someone else's loved ones are going to be on that same road your operating it.

 

I wouldn't drive it. Here is the worst part of the situation. You know there are problems with the equipment. It was taken to a shop where the problems were documented and repairs were refused.

Now if you were an attorney following an accident where this vehicle was unable to stop, wouldn't you be excited? If someone is injured or killed, someone will go to prison. It is not worth it.