You can't refuse a DOT inspection but...

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Farmerbob1, Apr 5, 2018.

Page 3 of 13
  1. Apr 5, 2018 #21
    ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    Don't belive rvery thing you here. Also if it's said at a truckstop counter then 99% chance it's b.s.
     
    ZVar, Apr 5, 2018
    ZVar, Apr 5, 2018
    #21
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  3. Apr 5, 2018 #22
    Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

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    Just do my job, eh? So, what, exactly, is the part of the job that a driver can do to completely eliminate all possibility of a thorough inspection?

    I'm sure that many drivers here would love to see your prophetic wisdom on how to always avoid thorough inspections. Just so we can get a good belly laugh.
     
    Farmerbob1, Apr 5, 2018
    Farmerbob1, Apr 5, 2018
    #22
    fargonaz and bottomdumpin Thank this.
  4. Apr 5, 2018 #23
    CrappieJunkie

    CrappieJunkie Wishin' I was fishin'

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    2 years I drove. Went thru one major inspection. I slipped and let myself get pulked in.

    And no. They never stripped all my stuff up. He didnt go past the curtain, which was shut.
     
    CrappieJunkie, Apr 5, 2018
    CrappieJunkie, Apr 5, 2018
    #23
  5. Apr 5, 2018 #24
    Hoofbeats

    Hoofbeats Road Train Member

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    The big three are appearance, attitude, and company reputation
     
    Hoofbeats, Apr 5, 2018
    Hoofbeats, Apr 5, 2018
    #24
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  7. Apr 5, 2018 #25
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Two of those are easily within your control.

    The third on the other hand is a bit of slightly different story, especially if you drive for a big company. The stupidity of people thousands of miles away can have an effect on that which you’ll have to deal with. That’s where having a bid run comes in. Thankfully the cops I see all know me by now and know I have my crap together.
     
    MACK E-6, Apr 5, 2018
    MACK E-6, Apr 5, 2018
    #25
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  8. Apr 5, 2018 #26
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    A lot of the "truckstop lawyers " and their audience really think having an opinion carries as much influence as the written regulations and officer discretion.
     
    tscottme, Apr 5, 2018
    tscottme, Apr 5, 2018
    #26
  9. Apr 5, 2018 #27
    Hoofbeats

    Hoofbeats Road Train Member

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    You just have to pick your company. Am I going to get a job at Carolina Cargo? No. I'm I going to get a job at a mega? No. I prefer companies with less than 100 trucks. If they start getting stupid, I leave.
     
    Hoofbeats, Apr 5, 2018
    Hoofbeats, Apr 5, 2018
    #27
  10. Apr 5, 2018 #28
    Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    I've never had that happen, or anything even close.
    Why are you even asking the question unless you have something very bad on your truck?

    Or do you just want to be the person that gets a little fame for recording something? Do you want to be famous for a few minutes?
     
    Moosetek13, Apr 5, 2018
    Moosetek13, Apr 5, 2018
    #28
  11. Apr 6, 2018 #29
    Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

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    I have nothing illegal on my truck. What I want to know if there might be a legal way to pressure inspectors who are not civil and respectful to learn to be that way.

    A DOT inspector getting fined $500 or more for littering or illegal dumping after removing items from a vehicle and placing them on the side of the road, then leaving the site might decide to either not remove items next time, or at least pass items back to the driver so they can be tossed on the driver's bunk and sorted out later.

    It wouldnt even be necessary to aggressively confront the inspectors directly at the time of the offense. Recording the inspectors removing items from the vehicle would not be a problem in any state, I don't think, since I believe it is legal everywhere in the US to record criminal activity, and littering is a crime. You would just have to be sure to record asking for help, and if they refuse, then say something like, 'So, you took all this stuff out of the truck, put it on the side of the road, and are just going to leave it there?' If they say yes, then you say OK, and let them go. Then, after they are gone, you collect your most valuable items and put them back in your truck, then call the Highway Patrol and advise them that you have video evidence of illegal dumping.

    Yes, this sounds like truck stop lawyering, but if it can be made to stick in court a few times, word would get around to inspectors that it really is in their best interest to be respectful after a inspection is complete.

    If this sort of thing really is a non-problem, then I'll never have to try it, eh?
     
    Farmerbob1, Apr 6, 2018
    Farmerbob1, Apr 6, 2018
    #29
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  12. Apr 6, 2018 #30
    MrEd

    MrEd Road Train Member

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    It is a non problem. Really...it is. In 25 years, I have never had a DOT officer enter my truck. And I disagree with Zeviander. I do my job really well. Have had 7 clean inspections in the last 3 years. Doing your job right will not allow you to avoid ALL inspections. But it will allow you to have all clean relatively pleasant short easy inspections. Ive never had a LEO of any type ask to search my truck. And when getting searched by Customs returning from Canada, they didnt ever remove anything from the truck. I would think to get searched as you describe, something you've said or done had to have guven them cause for concern. Or made them angry, so that they felt compelled to give you a lesson in who is in control of that situation. Hint...it aint the driver.
     
    MrEd, Apr 6, 2018
    MrEd, Apr 6, 2018
    #30
    fargonaz, peterd, Farmerbob1 and 2 others Thank this.
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