You can't refuse a DOT inspection but...

Hypothetical question. Yes, I understand implied consent to search if you work in a commercial vehicle.

However, if a high level inspection is done, and the inspectors drag all your belongings out of the truck and refuse to help you put things back in the truck, can you record them refusing to pick up what they threw on the ground and make a citizen's arrest for littering? In some states that's a nasty fine.

 

Sure you can let us know how it turns out.

 

Another reason why the 2 lane hwy is alot less hassle. only go thru a scale when you need a new sticker.

 

Another reason to not work for a company with a #### safety rating

 

Sure you can, you can also be hand cuffed and put into a squad car for the dope that mysteriously appeared in your bunk. Just let it go and get back to trucking.

Dang millenials always wanting to record stuff. Smh.

 

Those states next to the states that allow pot to be sold to anyone will be doing that much more in the future, if they find any drugs they will take the truck, trailer, all your possessions and the days of your freedom is over. So make sure no illegal substance is stuck to your rig, you will probably be treated as guilty if someone hides a small amount somewhere outside or even stepped onto one of the gummy candies they like.

 

In the 6 years I have been an inspector I have never entered a sleeper, I have never removed property, and I still ask permission to even step up onto the step everytime...even if I have already asked perviously in the stop.

Not saying it dosen't happen but I like to treat the truck as your home.

 

You could just close the sleeper curtains. A D.O.T inspection does not generally include search the entire truck. Just the front to make sure the all the gauges work. If they see something like beer cans or something illegal in the cab. I would say you just set yourself up for truck search.

 

There will probably be more sniffing drug dogs used soon, If the dog does not hit on anything then they have no reason. If you have nothing to hide, it should be no worry. They are stopping older folks and finding huge amounts of "legal" pot being transported to other states. I would be more worried about a driver that has a gaming device and 15 bottles of 5 hr. energy than most anything. Them caffeine drinks can overload your heart and stop it, not sure which is worse, a stoned driver or a dead one.

 

The weight cop that lived near me used to brag about taking apart a guys sleeper. He said the more the guy refused, or sounded like a "truck stop lawyer" the more he would take his time to dig in. He would say most the time he would find nothing, and what he found the most when tossing a guys sleeper was alcohol.

BS or not, the guy was kind of a prick, so I tend to believe him.