Overstepping the bounds or in line with expectations?

Hey everyone. I drive a fan built replica of the Optimus Prime truck seen in the latest Transformers movies. Non commercial with no dot numbers. My own personal rig. It gets quite a bit of attention especially from the DOT inspection guys. Last weekend I had an interesting experience and just wanted to see if this is fairly normal or if these guys stepped over their bounds a little bit.

I was taking a ride through part of Pennsylvania into New Jersey to surprise a Transformers fan at school. Once I crossed into New Jersey I was stopped at one of the weigh stations. The DOT inspection officer wanted to know what I was doing and where I was going. I Explained to him that I was simply going to pick up someone from school. And he kept asking questions trying to find out why I was driving Optimus. He wanted to know if I was doing any hauling or if I was getting paid to go. I explained to him that I wasn't but he wouldn't take no for an answer.

Anticipating these moments I always have letters from the people I am going to visit. These letters State the intended use of the truck on that day, where I am going, and why. They are signed by the parent or Guardian of the family I am visiting.

I offered to show him the letter which he agreed. And after reading it he wanted their information so he could contact them personally.

This is where the gray area was for me. I wasn't sure if he's technically allowed to do that or if I should be sharing other people's personal information so he can make a phone call. But to appease the officer I gave him the family's phone number and the contact name that I had. He then went into his van for a few minutes and came back outside, said he appreciated my honesty, and let me go. I later learned that he did contact them and they corroborated my story.

So I guess my question is did the DOT officer step over his bounds a little bit by calling these people? Or is it inline with what they do sometimes. Will they make phone calls to contact people at your destination (or in most cases company reps) to verify whatever information you gave them?

Thanks guys!

 

Sort of. I have a sign that says "non commercial truck; privately owned and registered"