Picked up a hitchhiker annnd got randomly inspected.

No worries, they only know what you tell them, 1st rule on trucking shut up it is your right not to speak, so don't DOT does not care as much as your company, if they ask just say nope must be an error. Do not make an issue of it.

 

i picked up a hitch hiker in Barstow near Lynwood road, turned on my dashcam, set it in the sleeper pointing forward so it recorded everything going on in the cab,

Cold night she was not dressed warm enough, reminded me of my daughter, got her something to eat, and a few inexpensive warmer clothes at the outlet mall, gave her a ride all the way to The New England Produce Market, in Chelsea Ma. Her Mom and Dad came there and picked her up.

Been friends with them now many years she was a good kid, bad situation, just need a break to get home. My responsibility, no. Cost me anything, nothing I ever missed. Had good company for close to 3000 miles.

Never picked anyone up since, just kind of gut reaction as to what was the right thing to do. In general I would caution a driver from picking up strangers, of course. But there's times when you feel its the right thing.

Any how thats my 2 cent's and today is a different world.

 

I was speaking to another retired driver about this be quiet topic the other day. He told me that every carrier needs to place a warning to their drivers RIGHT ON THE COVER OF THEIR PERMIT BOOK. (You have the absolute right to stay silent so S T * U).

 

Yeah, I could not agree more.

 

Ever since I was a kid I was told to ALWAYS, no matter what, to use the five magic words: "I have nothing to say.". Let your lawyer speak for you. Too many people catch charges over nothing. I'll pass!

 

Cops take state mandated refresher training all the time. They are taught how to come off as a friend just helping you out. Then turn on you the moment you open your piehole. Now there are drivers, CMV and none CMV that take this being silent to the point of being stupid. There is no point is telling a cop (it is none of your business) or other snarky comments. As a trucker when asked for your legals give them to the cop. In this new age of e logs this is going to also require access to these logs. Give the cop your paperwork and shut up. If a cop asks you (where did you load out) tell them it's in the logs or on the paperwork ( don't make comments or add any information. Cop asks you (where did you sleep last night?) refer him to your log. A cop has NO right to a receipt or ANYTHING else and you are under no obligation to comply with such a request. YOU are innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. YOU do not have to prove ANYTHING on the side of the road. Don't piss the cop off though in doing so. No point in getting into a pissing contest to see who can piss higher. A cop has the right to 3 basic pieces of information in ALL stops. Your drivers license, your proof of insurance and your registration. In the case of a CMV they also have the right to your permits, your medical card, shippers bills (if loaded) and logs (and to be technical here only the last 8 days). They are NOT entitled to anything else and as a driver you are not legally required to even speak to the officer. Grey area's abound in the regulations truckers drive under. EVERY TIME you as a driver open your pie hole YOU increase the likelihood of a nightmare that can start costing you MAJOR $$$$$ and might even get you put OOS.

 

Agreed. They can ask for "supporting documents" though.

 

They can ask for a million bucks. But they are not entitled to any.

I am going to edit this and correct one point. I did go into §395.11 and see some rules in regard to supporting documents.

Because I always try to be intellectually honest I posted this. I also agree fully with it. HOWEVER the FMCSA defines supporting documents this way. I do love the way regulators write these regulations. My last 2 years driving I used transflo to send things in. The way I understand this If I were driving today and had ANY documentation I would transflo said document then destroy it or mail it in. . As I am NOT required to keep it. So if I don't have it I can't turn over what i don't have.

This regulation is of recent rulemaking and as written I agree with it. Take note that they are talking about supporting documents for on duty driving time and NOT off duty time or where you spent it. This does not seem to mean things like hotel receipts.

 

I'm going to try to head off an argument with this. It is actually what a fleet owner told me a while back. If it is not required to be in your possession as a driver to legally operate a truck you do not have to give it to a cop.

 

Back in this topic I was speaking to someone in a carrier safety dept about having passengers. What this person said is they have no real issue with a driver picking up someone in an emergency. They tell drivers this during orientations and actually get letters from time to time from the ones helped or their family thanking the driver. They always make a copy and send it to the driver and sometimes put them up in the drivers lounges for all to see. It is really not a major issue. Just get the person to a safe place and keep on trucking.