Tips to avoid trouble with DOT officers?

I think trash cans in the truck was another sore point. Don't have them over flowing.

 

Clean truck, clean dash, market lights on (and working), window down, FM radio off, CB radio on, stop at the stop sign, ease onto your brakes on the scale, polite attitude, non-confrontational. Also, working for a company that has a good reputation helps a lot.

From my experience (2.5 years and never pulled in to talk to them in Canada), they are mostly looking for trucks that are overweight first and foremost. That's the easiest ticket to give (they know in a couple seconds that you are in violation).

Secondly, while you are rolling over the scale, they are looking at the truck. If it's in rough shape and not well-taken care of (including trash on the dash), they know the driver is lazy and isn't willing to do a proper pre-trip. The phrase that we assume pops into their head is: "What else has this driver missed?"

And in the end, you might just end up at the scale with an officer with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, and he'll make your day a living hell regardless of how well you did your pre-trip (I've even heard of some officers breaking something on trucks to hand out tickets).

Ultimately, just be the professional you were (hopefully) trained to be.

 

Yep, comment made to me, when I was stopped in a SD scale. I asked why me. When done with the inspection.(I always ask, Information is king). The scale master said he did not recognize my truck.[/QUOTE]

 

From a DOT officer honesty is the best policy for me. If I ask if your log is up to date and you answer yes when it isn't you will likely get a level 1. If you are honest and say no I am most likely going to chalk it up to an honest mistake, give you an opportunity to fix it and move on. That's just me through.

 

My company has been installing these on every truck and trailer in the past 6 months during each new safety. They are the greatest things ever.



You can set the spike/set the pedal after doing a six pack before your walk around in the morning to check all the brakes without even crawling under the truck (the tractor can be difficult depending on the suspension equipped). Trucks with air disc brakes are even easier.

 

I didn't think you ever needed to measure the pushrod stroke of disc brakes.... ?

So long as there is plenty of brake pad left and the rotor is in good shape, good to go.

 

The flip side of that is I have been pulled into scales EVERY time BECAUSE they know my truck and me and they know it's a quick clean inspection. Quotas, don't you know...

 

Mr @Moneyhungrytrucker, instead of worrying about the DOT, let's take things a bit farther. You don't want to do all of these things to avoid trouble with the DOT, you want to do these things to bring that A Game every time you play. For example, @wore out also hauls cattle. Which do you think is a bigger concern to a cattle hauler...the DOT or the cattle when he's doing his pre trip?

If a cattlehauler breaks down with a load, it is disasterous! They HAVE TO be on point. Otherwise the cattle gets sick and dies. $$$$$$$$ big money loss. That's his name on the line.

Your name is the most valuable thing you have. Your car is in your name. Your home. When you pick up a load, you sign your name. Even at a mega carrier, everyone in the office knows the top driver by name. Don't want to be Driver Number 68327942? Make a name. Read the green and white bible and know the regs like the back of your hand. For DOT? Noooo, for you. If you are unwilling to invest in yourself, why should anyone else? Do the world a favor...stay single and stick with pocket pool.


You will hear drivers say that they were taught to do things a certain way. Their trainer to,d them to do it this way. Doesn't matter if the trainer is right or wrong, any person who has been driving a truck for more than a year, but still talking about how they were trained to do things is a slacker. If you get pulled over for speeding, are you going to say, "Well, my trainer told me to run this speed through Chicago."? Or you get caught on a truck restricted road, "Well, this was the way that my trainer taught me to go."
Nobody likes a slacker. Even slackers don't like slackers.

If everyone else is fat, sloppy and wearing flip flops and wifebeaters in public, don't you do it too. Separate yourself from the pack. It's real easy to do nowadays. If you want to be treated as a professional, you have to carry yourself as a professional.
What do you think would happen if UPS started allowing their drivers to wear sweatpants, wifebeaters and flip flops and refuse to bathe? UPS doesn't have the bad public image that most of the industry has. And because of that, they sit on the top of the pile.

So, invest in yourself. Read the green and white bible, keep your appearance up, and protect your name. A Man's word is his bond. Do what you said you would do.

Luck in battle.

 

I keep my truck clean inside and out , I shower daily and don't dress like a bum ...I seldom get bothered.

 

Clean truck. Clean driver. Shower daily. If you are heavy and also go through states with wheelbase restrictions or may not pass 35% overhang - set it up so you are obviously within legal and the weight just barely is under 34k - they can see that was no accident and you likely have everything else in order too.

I get hauled in for level 3 typically once a year. I haven't had a level 1 since July 2016. Knock on wood. I know if I have a poor attitude it may quickly go from a quick paperwork check to a full blown level 1, which really just costs me time. Some states (California) may pull you into the barn if their computer alerts them to you haven't been level 1 in a while. I also like to look to left side and right side when going over the scale slowly to appear to make sure I am crossing it in the center and don't have one wheel slightly off. Makes me look like I have nothing to hide, I guess. Don't make eye contact just watch the sign out front.