Where Are You....continues........

Without a warrant they don't have the authority to ask for any receipts....food, fuel, or even tolls....fuel receipts don't have time stamps anyway! They have a very limited scope of discovery either road-side or scale house....log book, med card, CDL, registration and permits, and proof of insurance. And a big wives tale...they don't have the right or privilege to inspect the inside of the cab beyond what they can see standing on the ground looking in. If you "invite them up"....even to stand on the steps (formerly called "running boards")...you have authorized inspection beyond normal scope.

 

I was given an inspection by Montana just as you cross into Coutts, AB. She required receipts for the motel or she was going to give me false logs because in her mind and comment was that I was hauling loads and had shown off duty.

 

If it was a Montana Customs inspection, it would depend on how many miles were driven within Canada from the estimated (known miles) after your delivery, and how much time you were across the border.

How would she explain a day or two visiting and staying at an acquaintances residence, or a family member ("cousin" as they say)...did they charge you for staying at their residence, did they give you a receipt?

I'm sorry, but that would be considered by any court to be abuse of authority...and any court would toss it out right after scolding veraciously that "officer"!

My response....write your ticket and I'll see you in court!

 

It is a joint weigh station shared with Alberta. I am not heavy enough to cross any Montana scales. However, I have to cross Alberta, so she nailed me.

I had no desire to be put out of service in Canada at weigh station with no food or restroom.

The reason for the event is because I left home before a storm and when I got to Elkhart, the entire country was getting hammered. Why drive in it. Went and took another 34.

Your response of ticket and such is a big problem. Would it have been Montana or Alberta.

 

I did one trip into Canada....promised myself NEVER AGAIN!

Too many hassles and when you have to pay an entry (re-entry) fee to come back home was the straw that broke the camels back for me!

 

I'm not really saying either way what they can or can't do, just what I chatted for a few moments with the NDHP officer about. I honestly don't get too concerned with this sorta stuff. It's not a concern to me to be inspected but if there's an accident to investigate it won't help just having " legal looking logs" because in an investigation it will be clear exactly what a driver was doing. This is why I just follow the rules and don't get crazy with logs etc. it's not about fooling a cop or dot, it's about not going to jail if something out of my control happens and I get investigated because of it.

 

I do not go there much anymore. One trip to Yellowknife and one to Newfoundland. Some early ones in January, till the pain in the rear at this scale.

I took the paperwork out to the truck on Saturday morning thinking I was going to leave. But, my buddy decided we could wait till the next day. Sunday of course was heavy ice and I did not recheck the log. It showed me off duty for 2 days and should have been 3. She nailed me on it.

First log violation in 14 years. After she wrote it up, she said I could change the 2 to a 3.

Told her that it must be nice to be perfect. She said she wasn't.

I then said, but you expect us to be and walked out.

 

A fee to re-enter your own country is a bit much! But not Canada's fault! I have almost zero problems in Canada. Geez it's a big day out just for them to open a scale in the areas I operate! Most of the time they are running around trying to bust grain and gravel haulers during frost restrictions in spring( I know coz they got me once!). Otherwise it's just a matter of being sure all is good with your load being cleared by the broker to cross before arriving at the border and it's smooth (mind you boring!) sailing.

 

If involved (at fault or not) in an accident....the entire scope of inspection and investigation changes....completely different circumstance.

 

it is july I should be killing swordfish in the gulfstream..........sigh