Can cops just pull you over for no reason?

Yes,I stay ready for it and expect it.Once pulled over cop says" I couldnt see your tractor brakelight when you went by"."Must have been the angle of your landing gear blocking it.Well,while we here...Well do a level 1 inspection.Funny,I wasnt using the brakes when I went by.Next,he produces an IRS card,says hes authorized to check my fuel tanks,making sure Im not running offroad diesel.

 

The answer to this question is complicated and not easy to answer. I will try though. FMCSA part 350 is full of information that most truck drivers don't read or understand. It sets up the payment system for those inspections. Lets look at 350.111

What this means is these inspections are according to the feds only to be done after a truck driver has been stopped after violating local or state law. Just before this you see part 350.110

Based on my reading of part 350 it was never the intent of the Feds for the state inspectors to just stop truckers. It is my belief that a MCSAP/CVSA/DOT officer is not legally allowed to just stop a trucker on the road to inspect without seeing a violation first. This is a highly technical point and is not something I would get into a fight with the inspector about.

 

In a cmv I definitely wouldn't belabor the point with them. Express your objection to make it clear that you object and the basis for said objection, then step aside and let them do what they plan to do anyway. Easier to fight a ticket than it is to fight for your life in intensive care.

 

Ohio has to be the worst along with commiefornia-
My aunt gave me two bottles of unopened liquor from Vegas casinos, stores in my sleeper. Made it to NY from NV along with a level 2 in communist Ohio. The guy looked in, I knew he was looking around.

If dot knocks on the door during your 10- ignore them !

 

It is never good advice to tell a driver to ignore a DOT officer at anytime. The thing is a DOT officer is not going to mess with you much on private property unless they are enforcing a state idling law. If however you are on public property and you ignore an Officer you might find yourself getting towed if you try to play that 10 hour break card. I have seen it happen several times during my driving career.

 

But that is a violation in itself - because an inspection is a line 1 on duty category so you're in violation.

 

The cops don't care. This is my point. Don't be dicking around with cops especially when you are on public property. Not all cops are this bright, there are some however that will just smile and call for a "hook". When this happens it don't matter what line your on. This is the reason I never advise a driver to blow off a cop in this manner. Even those parking area's in Kentucky are called rest havens NOT safe havens. I have seen cops wake up drivers in those areas.

 

This is why I stay the hell out of rest areas period.