Canadian Truckers Fined $84,000 For Violations

Actually the cost for State Permits is relatively cheap. I used to haul OD loads. State Permits (depending on State) usually cost between $15 and $60 and permits MIGHT be needed for Cities or Townships as well.

 

And, in a lot of cases, you don't move and go, you're out of a job. That's the way it is in a LOT of places - company drivers have no choice, whether it's right or not, whether it's legal or not - go or lose your job. Happens all the time. Yep, it's not right but that's life, unfortunately.

 

I am not sure about Canada, but in the US it is ILLEGAL to fire an employee for refusing to violate (any) law. And any employer who would fire me for refusing to violate laws isn't worth working for.

 

Remember that you are an at-will-employee, unless your a union driver.

Mark

 

LOL!! Must be nice to have enough financial security to walk away from a "bad" employer and just take your time and find another job. Of course it's ILLEGAL but it still happens and, if you can't AFFORD to just walk away from your job and wait to get another, you do as you're told.

Been there, done that - not this particular situation but done things that should not be asked of me and could not afford to just walk away. Instantly started looking for new work and found it and left but to just walk away - I've never been that financially secure. Must be nice to be able to do that.

 

The above was copied and pasted from a Houston Chronicle online article originally published by the AP. My attempt to post a link to the article was rejected as I have yet to accumulate a minimum of 20 posts.

On the bright side, this will get me one post closer!

 

Having driven for 12 years, the last 8 years doing a combination of van and O/D loads, I can assure you, that the driver is ultimately responsible. Ignorance is no excuse. I've worked for companies who insisted I run loads without permits, as I wouldn't be going near a scale. Dispatchers, look for drivers who don't know what they are doing, so they can try and sneak a load through. If that doesn't work, they threaten you with your job.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming the dispatchers for what happened, it's a combination of the driver and dispatcher. Most drivers won't stand up and tell the dispatchers no. I for one, refused to haul O/D loads without the proper permits. I've even gone so far as having a permit re issued, or requested a new one, because of errors on the original permit.

Most places appreciate it, when a driver catches mistakes. When you take loads half way across the country, or across international borders, the driver needs to know what the provisions are, and restrictions.

Bottom line, READ AND DEMAND PERMITS.