DOT Stop Question

In PA you have to certified to adjust your brakes. Or it used to be that way a few years ago.

 

Brakes are bout the only thing that comes to mind!! But most should count experience in Lou of a certification!!

 

While true about the brake cert, isn't it simply just a piece of paper the mechanic signs? No money, no testing, etc.

If that's the case, if a mechanic is not certified, I wouldn't let him within 10 feet of my rig.

 

I would say brakes also but that only for brake repairs. You can adjust them if needed.

 

Not in PA. At least that's how it was last time I got an out of adjustment there.

 

Some states do not allow you to adjust your brakes unless you are certified. Anybody ca certify easily though.
I am certified or was. but have no clue where my card is, as I have had no need for it for years.
I know in New Mexico, unless it has changed, if the dot red tags you and you have to repair it before it moves. you can call a mechanic out.
He can do the repairs, sign off on your inspection and you can leave.
If you do the repairs yourself, the dot has to inspect it again before you can leave. not sure about any other state.

 

PA State police got me 2 years ago in company truck during roadside inspection. One brake was out of adjustment. Let me climb under there to adjust and sent me on the way.

On a side note-
I just went through a roadside inspection friday and they were just dipping fuel tanks only looking for off road fuel. No other checks Weird how many and a few others were talking about we never heard of anyone getting fuel tanks checked even during dot inspections. Weird

 

I've always done my own repairs and adjustments when checked by the DOT. All his job is to see that it is OOS.
Quite a few times I have run across DOT officers that really didn't know what they were doing or looking for, they were only following orders from the capitan so they could satisfied the funding request from the state capital to keep their numbers up.

 

In Canada, only a certified (torque wrench) tire man can install a Bud wheel.