How long can a DOT Inspector?

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by headborg, Jun 15, 2014.

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  1. headborg

    headborg Bobtail Member

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    How long can a DOT Inspector detain you without writing you a citation?
     
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  3. EZX1100

    EZX1100 Road Train Member

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    good luck with that one

    if you have to ask that question, you either pissed him off or he is a complete jerk
     
  4. joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

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    As long as the DOT inspector wants/needs.
     
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  5. w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    He will lay under your tractor until he see a drip
     
  6. Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    better not lay under my truck. unless he is wearing a oil resistant coverall.
     
  7. headborg

    headborg Bobtail Member

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    Or you block logged from Salina, Ks to Loveland, Co ( 475.5 miles ~ 6.75 hrs ) but He's at the Wyoming POE and he calls down to Limon, Co and asks what time you crossed the scales there-- and where that point is on line 3 makes it look like you drove 35mph from Salina to Limon ... then 100 mph from Limon, Co to Loveland. He knows you are falsifying your book- he just can't prove it in court! Speeding out of his jurisdiction-- and on paper at that! So he has to wait until you change your story before he can get you on a violation. Now it's 4am and you're dog tired-- but he won't let you go.....until you change your story. So again, there should be a limit on how long he can keep you detained... after all "Officer? Am I under arrest? Am I being detained?" Even for arrestable crimes they can only hold you for 24 hrs without charging you... so why would a DOT officer be able to hold you indefinitely....
     
  8. yessir

    yessir Medium Load Member

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    As long as he want until you tell him how you drove from ny to california with no 10 hr break
     
  9. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Someone with more recent law enforcement knowledge than me may be able to answer this but I think the seriously honest answer is 72 hrs. Its always been my understanding that law enforcement can detain you for questioning for up to 72 hrs without booking/charging you with something.
    This could be related only to a criminal investigation. Again, I could be way off. I am not sure. Hopefully someone with more law enforcement experience can confirm or rebut my answer.
     
  10. bigkev1115

    bigkev1115 Road Train Member

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    Here s a few factors

    Your employers CSA Score, SMS, BASIC score. If your company has a high number, expect to be sitting for awhile. Or if you the driver don t have your paperwork up to date and legible, or having some kind of defect on your equipment that catches the inspectors eye, you can expect to be sitting for awhile
     
  11. joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

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    I rolled into the Cottonwood, CA scales a few weeks ago. 15 minutes left on my 14, and he pulls me around back for an inspection. Cali is known for being a bit "anal" about things. Inspected my truck in 30, gave me a sticker for the truck and trailer, and had a couple laughs and said to park in the back, have a good night and the restrooms are over here. A lot of your interaction with the DOT depends on YOUR attitude and demeanor. When I go in, I put the officer at ease by having a good attitude.

    Two weeks ago in Oregon on 84, just past the Washington state line I came across the scale heavy on my drives. My stupid fault, I slid the tandems the wrong way because I was in a hurry. He, of course, pulled me in. And my attitude towards him and the situation got me out of an overweight ticket. He said fix it, I did, came back across, and he told me to have a safe trip. You are the deciding factor in everything that goes on in a scale house. They are just doing their jobs.
     
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