Marked in pre trip inspection - got violation

How far did you have to go to get it fixed, and why not fix it yourself?
I'm guessing you weren't in a parking lot of a TS, or company yard.

So yes, its legal to give you a violation for a required light when you knew about it, but chose to operate the vehicle anyway. Even if it was just to get it fixed.

 

Its very easy to replace tail light, marker lights, (except up high) and head lights. I keep several spares in the truck. Most of them pop right out. Carry some tools with you as well to replace a mud flap, etc.

 

I changed out a bad tail light just this morning, 01:00. You've undoubtedly learned now that keeping a spare of the most common bulbs in your tool kit is mandatory. Tail/brake bulb, license plate light (most common reason for stops) running light bulb, maybe a marker bulb. One bulb, $5.00. One citation? What's that going to cost, all together? I feel your pain, and I wonder why no one has enlightened you on this most basic of truck driving necessities.

 

I'd call the company and make them send out a service truck to repair their light on their truck..It's part of the cost of being an owner of the truck,you get to pay for all the repairs..Now you got some CSA points that were 100% perventable..I would not have moved that truck with a known PTI violation no matter how small it may seem

 

Can't make any money sitting there waiting for the call to get to somebody, then waiting for the road service to arrive, BDP. For me, change the bulb, get rolling, submit for reimbursement.

Good point about not moving, for sure that was a very poor choice.

I bet Monaco knows why he does his pre-trip by now. That was the good part. After that? Not so much.

 

Keep in mind folks that a lot of companies are using lights that are riveted into place. It makes it nearly impossible to change yourself unless you carry a drill. Most company drivers won't make that kind of investment. If the OP had lights that are riveted, does that make him any less responsible? Not at all. I'm just saying that it's not always as easy as pop out the old and pop in the new.

 

▲▲▲▲▲ A flat head screwdriver and a hammer takes care of that without a drill.