Need advice "DOT ticket"
 

This week the company I lease my trailer from recieved a $480.00 ticket for bad brakes on my truck (by mail). The driver that was driving my truck then, refused to sign the ticket. He no longer work for me. My trailer company want me to pay for the ticket ASAP since the police used the plate on the trailer to mail the ticket. The ticket is under their name and they wants me to act quick.
I would like to know from you super super trucker if I, as a truck owner am responsible for the ticket?

Thank you for all in advance for your kind advices.

if your truck and driver was pulling it at the time then it was your drivers resposibility to check the brakes during the pre trip when he picked up the trailer

Yes. You, as the owner, are the motor carrier, and are responsible.

If the bad brakes were on the trailer, it would depend upon the contract you have with your leasing agent.

Pay up, and don't let your trucks get that way again. :wink:

we usually throw people in jail if they don't sign the ticket.

i was thinking the same thing. I saw on COPS the show on TV the put some one in jail when he didn't sign the ticket. IS it different in each state.

Well signing the ticket just means that they agree to post their license as bond until their court date. If they don't then they have to see a judge and are not free to leave. Whether or not this differs I really don't know.


Perhaps the DOT in this particular story aren't real cops and only have powers to write tickets like a meter maid. My state's department of public safety has a division seperate from the GSP specifically to enfore motor carrier compliance, and those guys are normal cops.

Geez-what blue state do you live in?

my state is 'red' actually. As explained, its due to the fact that displaying your license and signing the ticket just means that you promise to appear in court. It isn't an admission of guilt, and anytime you're given one that statement is paraphrased by the cop. If you don't sign it, you're not posting your lisence as bond so therefore we have to take you before a magistrate and you deal with the judge on your bond until your court date. Since I live in a decent sized city "I" don't personally take you to the magistrate, I just take you to jail and the jail gets you there when it opens Mon-Fri.

Wasn't something we had discretion on.


ps, that's why they call traffic ticket skip warrants 'Failure to Appear'.

I see you're a "rookie". First of all, welcome to the boards. Sounds like you can give us all a lot of good information. I find myself hoping you stay around a while. I'll be watching for what you have to say.

"rcso" sounds like "Royal Canadian" something. Doesn't really matter.

why thank you, so do I. I hope to be driving shortly actually.


And no, it's about as far away from Canada as one can get almost.