DOT inspecting a non DOT truck

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by Bdog, Oct 15, 2015.

  1. Bdog

    Bdog Road Train Member

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    We have a 25,999 truck It is my understanding that running this truck in state is no different from a legal standpoint than driving around in a car. No special license, log book, pre trip, med card, etc needed. We were stopped a while back by a DOT guy and he did a pretty thorough inspection on the truck. No tickets issued but it made me wonder what they can do when technically you are not under their rules at the time.
     
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  3. supersnackbar

    supersnackbar Road Train Member

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    He can inspect you if you are a 'for hire' commercial vehicle...I've even seen KS DOT doing inspections on Ma and Pa Kettle pulling a car behind a 24' U-Haul.
     
  4. Bdog

    Bdog Road Train Member

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    Not for hire hauling other peoples stuff but we are business hauling our own equipment to job sites.
     
  5. no-handle

    no-handle Bobtail Member

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    any motor vehicle operated public roads must pass basic safety .... D.O.T. department of transportation.. NOT department of trucks....his job is to make shure we all get home.....
     
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  6. CasanovaCruiser

    CasanovaCruiser Road Train Member

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    I miss the days when I thought their job was to plow the streets in the winter time and fix traffic signals lol
     
  7. 28

    28 Medium Load Member

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    Public Safety
     
  8. Bdog

    Bdog Road Train Member

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    I guess what I am saying is I know vehicles must be safe to be on the road. This truck has a recent DOT inspection. Fully would understand a ticket for a light being out or whatever but when is the last time you guys saw a cop on a creeper rolling around under a pickup or car? Just seems odd they are going over it with fine tooth comb when it isn't a DOT regulated vehicle.
     
  9. BUMBACLADWAR

    BUMBACLADWAR Road Train Member

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    The way I remember it the 1lb of weight and NO AIRBRAKES made all the difference + no CDL required.He still had to stop at scales and put up with random shakedowns.The crazy part was he wasnt in the "drug consortium" pool never tested. Unbelievable. As far as inspections Highway patrol can inspect you for cracked winshields,lights out or bald tires. Nothing new there.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 18, 2015
    Reason for edit: fixed quote
  10. 6wheeler

    6wheeler Road Train Member

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    Easy pickings. They look for anything that can get a ticket. Pick-up trucks pulling lawnmowers, to hazmat loads and oversized. The law is written in a Gray area for the officer to give you a ticket based on his opinion. Even though he has never drivin a truck for a living.
    Get a radio!
     
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  11. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    I pulled into a closed weigh station last week. I think Indiana. There was a U-Haul truck hauling a car and a sticker on the windshield that it was Out of Service.
     
    KB3MMX, NavigatorWife and Dye Guardian Thank this.
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