D.O.T. INSPECTIONS

[unkut2003]

Here lately I've noticed A LOT of inspections going down in the Ohio/Indiana/Michigan/Pennsylvania areas! Hell, the other day I pulled into a scale and there were 4... YES, 4 D.O.T. cars sittin out back, 2 Ohio troopers, and 3 rigs with hoods popped, and troopers EVERYWHERE!!! I was sure they were gonna hit me, haha. As I passed through at 5mph, with my shades on I could also see numerous bodies in the office area movin all around..... :shock: But.... I made it through O.K.!!!

My question is, having never been D.O.T. inspected..... what REALLY goes down??? From what I understand the "green" light turn "red".... so you pull around to the rear? Then what??? I fellow employee... who blows A LOT of smoke, haha, said he was once D.O.T.'d and they even took a urine sample..... :? Is this for real??? Any help and info would be greatly appreciated.... because I'm sure its gonna happen sooner or later!!!

[Skywalker]

My question is, having never been D.O.T. inspected..... what REALLY goes down??? From what I understand the "green" light turn "red".... so you pull around to the rear? Then what???

It depends on what level of inspection they do. Level One is the most thorough..... complete vehicle, you, and logbook. If you pass everything, the tractor and trailer get a "sticker". If there are problems found, depending on what they are....it can range from a "fixit slip" to $$ fines.

I fellow employee... who blows A LOT of smoke, haha, said he was once D.O.T.'d and they even took a urine sample..... :?

He's full of :dung: :dung: :dung: I've been through 5 level one inspections and never had to pee in the bottle. The Fed has extremely strict rules as to who, when, and where it can be done. And the chain of evidence has to be maintained scrupulously....not to mention all involved in collecting the samples have to be certified in the procedure.

.. because I'm sure its gonna happen sooner or later!!!

8) At some point it probably will. AND....more than likely it will happen when you least expect it. All the more reason to keep a straight, honest and neat logbook, and inspect your equipment closely, and note even "mickey-mouse" deficiencies on your DVIR/PTI.

Here's a hint for all new drivers: If you get "chosen" for an inspection... DO NOT give the officer any lip, grief, or get too friendly or joke with him or her. Be 100% mature and professional. DO NOT volunteer anything, and answer any and all questions with a minimum of verbiage. They may or may not ask you any questions.... but if they do, keep it "simple". Know what you are carrying, and if you are carrying hazmat, make darn sure your paperwork is correct, your placards are right for the load, that you have your ERG and Hazmat Boot handy....they should ideally be with the bills. AND if you are carrying hazmat....make sure the bills are where they are supposed to be.

[unkut2003]

Thanks Skywalker!!!


I kinda figured he was full of it, hahaha!!! Seeing as how he has a story for EVERY bit of conversation we've ever had...

Another question that you may or may not know the answer too..... What are those officers behind those tinted windows doing as we pass through??? I just HATE passing through those scales, lol!!! Oh, and what determines the level of inspection? I've also seen D.O.T. just pull trucks over, then when I'd pass awhile later, they'd STILL be sittin there with the hood flipped and figures under the trailer.... WTF???

[Skywalker]

Thanks Skywalker!!!


I kinda figured he was full of it, hahaha!!! Seeing as how he has a story for EVERY bit of conversation we've ever had...

A "shuck & jive" artist???? :?

Another question that you may or may not know the answer too..... What are those officers behind those tinted windows doing as we pass through???

Depending on the state....they could be typing in your truck number and the time you cross the scale in the event of a tax audit, or they could just be watching the scale to make sure you are not wrong on weights. Also some of them are looking over your equipment for "obvious defects". I got pulled around back by the OHDOT on the southbound scale on I-71 south of Columbus...the officer thought I had a tire worn down to the steel belts....but it was light colored mud..... and from a distance it looked like a badly worn tire. They could be doing "anything".

I just HATE passing through those scales, lol!!! Oh, and what determines the level of inspection?

They do. I believe that the Fed requires them to inspect "X" number of vehicles per year at certain levels. You can also "cause" a higher level inspection to occur by inappropriate comments or conduct. Not that I suspect that you would do that....

I've also seen D.O.T. just pull trucks over, then when I'd pass awhile later, they'd STILL be sittin there with the hood flipped and figures under the trailer.... WTF???

Its usually a random selection process..... and the inspections can be somewhat time consuming....and remember if you ever get inspected, every minute spent in the scale is logged on Line 4, On Duty Not Driving.

[yoopr]

also be careful in PA-they tend to set up Inspections in their rest areas

[Skywalker]

also be careful in PA-they tend to set up Inspections in their rest areas

Yes they do, and Montana does too. 8)

I got nabbed for a Level One in Lexington, KY by a Lexington PD Officer on the loop around the city. They are CVSA qualified and did a "bang up" job, gave me my stickers and even thanked me for my time!! 8)

[rvrjr7]

Knock on wood I havent had a full inspection in a year and a half last time i got checked was during the cvsa check in 2006 but the DOT officer came to a job site on private properity where another driver and I were backed into which i didnt think they could do

[yoopr]

One other thing Unkut-Be respectful to the officers-It'll go a long way and instead of getting a ticket they MIGHT let you off with a warning.

[Redlight]

You arent kinding Ohio was crawling with DOT on I75 and us 33

[Crash935]

One other thing Unkut-Be respectful to the officers-It'll go a long way and instead of getting a ticket they MIGHT let you off with a warning.

That will get you half way thorugh and inspection. Got stopped at the Hubbard OH scales a few months ago, he told me we could be there for 20 minutes or all day, told him i liked 20 minutes, handed him my paperwork and opended the hood. I did what i was told to do and 20 minutes later he handed me my paper work and had slapped CVSA stickers on the truck and trailer. He did tell me that one brake on the trailer was "close" to being out of adjustment and that i needed to get it taken care of when i got back home.

[WildK9]

also be careful in PA-they tend to set up Inspections in their rest areas

That's the truth. Went through one a couple weeks ago. There was 12 DOT vehicles. :shock:

[Crash935]

also be careful in PA-they tend to set up Inspections in their rest areas

That's the truth. Went through one a couple weeks ago. There was 12 DOT vehicles. :shock:

Was that up on 80 at the 88 MM westbound rest area? I dont know how they do it but they start bright and early in the rest areas. What do they do, start with the trucks that have been there all night?

[Roadie]

Ok, now how are the DOT inspections on Teams handled? You have one in the sleeper birth sleeping, Do they make them get out also? If so, you just interrupted the 8hrs required off to start again and have to start over????????

[mtdewr]

Ok, now how are the DOT inspections on Teams handled? You have one in the sleeper birth sleeping, Do they make them get out also? If so, you just interrupted the 8hrs required off to start again and have to start over????????

No, the person in the sleeper stays in the sleeper.

[Mr. Ford95]

If your solo and in the sleeper when DOT comes knocking for an inspection, tell'em to screw off that your taking your required break and cannot be interrupted. :twisted:

[Double R]

also be careful in PA-they tend to set up Inspections in their rest areas

PA will also set up in wide spots on 2 lanes and in parking lots. They like to set up on 22 alot outside of Monroville,PA in the Home Depot lot. Also, Middlesex Twp.(Carlisle) will set up right past the Pilot on 11 south and nail you before the PA pike. They got me last year in a day cab. Got a 100% on a level 1. Another place they like is the toll booth at exit 75 on the PA pike(New Stanton). PA is sneaky and tend to pop up when and were you least expect it.

[PhuzzyGnu]

I get DOT inspections all of the time, but it's probably because every load is Haz-Mat. Hell, I've been in an inspection for 2 hours before.

Last time was Thursday night at about 11:30 at the southbound coops in Centerville- I was running 5 placards.

In my experience, treating them with respect and having ALL of your paperwork (logbooks, manifests/BOL, pemits, insurance, medical card etc) ready BEFORE you even get into the scale makes it pretty painless.

I've never been treated with anything other than respect. I am well groomed and well spoken and I never driver around in flip-flops, cutoffs, and a t-shirt with the sleeves torn off.

Look and act like a professional and you will be treated as such.

-p.

[Skywalker]

I........
In my experience, treating them with respect and having ALL of your paperwork (logbooks, manifests/BOL, pemits, insurance, medical card etc) ready BEFORE you even get into the scale makes it pretty painless.

I've never been treated with anything other than respect. I am well groomed and well spoken and I never driver around in flip-flops, cutoffs, and a t-shirt with the sleeves torn off.

Look and act like a professional and you will be treated as such.

I couldn't agree more!! Courtesy, respectfulness, and looking and acting "professional" goes a looooooonnnnnggggg way to being treated like a professional and getting the inspection done with less muss and fuss!!

[WildK9]

also be careful in PA-they tend to set up Inspections in their rest areas

That's the truth. Went through one a couple weeks ago. There was 12 DOT vehicles. :shock:

Was that up on 80 at the 88 MM westbound rest area? I dont know how they do it but they start bright and early in the rest areas. What do they do, start with the trucks that have been there all night?

No, the one in Harrisburg on 81. I think they wait for them to wake up. :evil: