What are DOT inspection levels?

If the DOT places you or your vehicle out of service, they will tell you for how long or for why. They'll even give you a nice piece of paper explaining it (and the fine they are levying).

For example, if your license has been suspended (maybe you didn't pay a fine in a non-home state thinking your home state wouldn't notice), you will be placed out of service until you correct that suspension.

And, your truck will be impounded.

If your truck is placed out of service, it will either be towed to a shop or sit where it is until it is repaired. It will not be driven on the highway for any reason until it is repaired.

If a driver is placed out of service for an out of hours violation, he will only be placed out of service long enough to satisfy the hours of service requirement.

Depending on the state and the cop (yes, cops can put you out of service regardless of their DOT credentials), you may be allowed to travel to the nearest truck stop. Or, maybe not, depending on his mood.

An inspection rarely takes more than 15 minutes unless you have some real problems.

 

Ain't that the truth, brother...........................geeze

 

There's 6 levels. You probably will only see 3 but there are 6. Here's the criteria,
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/safety-initiatives/mcsap/insplevels.htm

 

Got a DOT Inspection Report. Had "speeding 65 in a 55 zone" violation and a "Log Book Entry" violation. listed on in. DOT guy says he's not going to issue any citations, just gives me a warning!

The Inspection Report shows under citation# "warning".

Do I need to notify my company of this report, yes I know I "Should", but will they ever see it if I don't since no citations were issued?

 

Pulled over for headlight (was working on PTI and didn't notice light went out since the sun had come up). DOT inspection took 45 minutes (includes pprwrk). The officer was friendly and professional. Does make me less likely to pull into a rest area though since that's where he was waiting. Also, think I'm going to turn off lights as soon as sun's up. Hope all inspections in the future go this well, but would prefer to avoid having to go through any at all.

 

when you get inspected they usually will give a paper for your company safety person to sign and send back to them within a certain amount of time i believe it is 7 days

 

Your company has 15 days to sign and return the inspection report. Geeze, you'd think that I had 2 of those from Oregon within the last month or something....
Edit : and you have to send the report in to your company even if no violations were found.....

 

yeah i knew you only had a certain amount of time but could not remember for sure been a while since i had one