DOT inspection

john in la · Nov 2, 2013

Went threw a Class I dot inspection at the scales yesterday. DOT officer was training a new recruit.
Yes I was a little worried because my truck was in the shop for service and I was using a 10 year old spare truck.
Went threw everything; even asked to see spare fuses; and climbed in back of trailer to make sure a haz-mat tote I had was blocked in by other freight to prevent movement.

Only violation he found was fire extinguisher was not strapped down. They had replaced the original with one that was to large for the hold down.

Tells me to find something to half way tie down the extinguisher and he will not write it up.
Put a new CVSA sticker on the truck and trailer with no violations report.

While I have heard all the horror stories about the DOT I have no personal experience with it. Every time I have been inspected it has been more about I am required to do xx inspections a month and I elect you to be one of them.
But then again I except I have to follow DOT rules and try to keep everything up to snuff.

Bob Bancroft · Nov 2, 2013

I expect in your last line you meant expect, not except. Could confuse some!
NY state is working on implementing commercial drivers regulations. If they would just adopt and enforce the fed's, instead of adding and subtracting from it, it would be better. It's looking like it will be a real mess.

wilson ind · Nov 2, 2013

I expect that one would except Oh HEY I don't know just going to pour my tea and set back and wait for critisun . Rule one no Hey I forget. SI is my role model.

jon f mn · Nov 2, 2013

That is my experience also. Just did a level 1 a couple weeks ago. Of course my truck is still new enough that it passed easily, but I still have to get the trailer through. I have had very good experiences with the DOT and find that they are just doing their jobs and what you get is more a factor of your own attitude than theirs. A little sucking up never hurts either. LOL

showcrop · Nov 2, 2013

In the two years that I had my truck I got one level I. My truck was about four years old at the time. As the inspector worked his way through, it took maybe 35 min with paper work, he started to compliment me, and he was acting almost giddy, and then he told me I was going to get a sticker. Just then he found a little broken weld, but he gave me the sticker anyway.

john in la · Nov 2, 2013

No now that I look at the definition what I really meant to say was ACCEPT.
I realize I am one that must follow the rules and rather than spending time looking for innovative ways to get out of following the rules I spend my time following the rules.

David G · Nov 2, 2013

I believe electrical codes would be more clear if everyone adopted NEC, instead of Federal, State, County and local variations.

Much like DOT standards should be.

souNdguy · Nov 2, 2013

our shop yard is about 1.5m from the interstate. so we usually get 1 dot stop per month.. minimum.

our last stop had the same result as yours. new extinguisher was different size than old one and not secured.. got ticketed..

How you doing.

long time since I was thru LA.. too long.

john in la · Nov 2, 2013

He really thought he had me when he asked for my medical card. I told him my medical card was now linked to my new drivers license and he should be able to see it on his computer.
His reply was that system is not fully up and running yet so I still needed to have the paper version in hand.
OK but that is not the info the DMV gave me.

I reached in my bag and handed it to him just as he was starting to write no medical card on his pad.

I think I will still carry the paper version long after this new law goes into effect just for this reason.

You could tell this guy was brand new. The instructor had to explain to him why it was OK for me not to have a log book on local runs.

john in la · Nov 2, 2013

Doing well soundguy.
Between work; honey do; and grown kids asking dad to help out; keeping real busy.

souNdguy · Nov 2, 2013

good to hear you are doing ok.

take care my friend!

Stumpy(NH) · Nov 2, 2013

I too have had an easy time of DOT. I haul fuel oil on a local route and see DOT on a regular basis. Run right across the scales....nothing to hide. Truck and trailer are in great shape. '99 Western Star and a '96 Heil 11k tanker. Doesn't need to be new to be legal!

Stumpy

uncle henry · Nov 2, 2013

i have heard older truckers talk about putting skunk scent on a tire before pulling in the scale house

Anonymous-0 · Nov 2, 2013

But I bet they still wasted a half hour of YOUR time!

FBH44 · Nov 2, 2013

When my wife has the little boys out there on the Interstate in the van at 70 mph, thanks to all you guys that meet all those regs. I really appreciate it, I'll say that.

willie in mn · Nov 2, 2013

In my experience it wasn't a waste of time at all. Boss wanted us to keep equipment in good condition, paid $25 cash for every clean inspection report turned it. Can't make $50 an hour driving.
Willie

john in la · Nov 2, 2013

Closer to a hour but I get paid by the hour so its not so bad.

wisbaker · Nov 2, 2013

I've run into good ones and some that are major league butt holes. Had a Mississippi officer that worked the scale on the Tennessee-Mississippi line that couldn't understand the concept of exempt logs and kept putting our trucks out of service at the scale. Had one that worked up in Northern Tennessee he caught us overweight pulling a load of meat scraps & offal out of Jimmy Dean, Newbern Tennessee. held the drive up about 15 minutes, came up to the cab and asked the driver what he was hauling, after he got his answer he nodded and handed our driver back his license and said something to the extent "I'm thinking that's garbage and since you're hauling garbage you have percentage you're allowed to be over, you're within that amount....have a nice day"

Tim in OR · Nov 2, 2013

When I had first started driving truck, it was for the same company I had spent 16 years working in the truck shop for. Because I was the low man on the list, I was held down to as close to 8hrs a day and 40 a week. I got stopped for inspection at the scales, and it was one of those "training days". The guy in the pit called out "where's your steering axle brakes?" I responded "Its pre-79, it doesn't have to have them. He asked again, The senior trooper answered "This is Willamette they don't push it, he is right". Next, the greenhorn looking at my logs said "where's your other log books". I responded "I'm the new guy I'm based on 8hrs a day". his response was "youve got to have more hours, wheres your other log books". The senior Trooper once again came to my aid, "this is willamette, they don't push it". I was a green driver, driving an old truck. The truck was in good shape, and my logs reflected reality. The greenhorns learned that not all truck drivers are trying to pull one over on them, and just because its old doesn't mean its a rolling violation.
Tim in OR

Bret4207 · Nov 3, 2013

(quoted from post at 08:47:23 11/02/13) I expect in your last line you meant expect, not except. Could confuse some!
NY state is working on implementing commercial drivers regulations. If they would just adopt and enforce the fed's, instead of adding and subtracting from it, it would be better. It's looking like it will be a real mess.

Whats changing Bob? We adopted the FMCSR 10 years back now?

Bret4207 · Nov 3, 2013

I went from rolling around in parking lots with drunks and wiping whiners butts on regular road patrol to working DOT. Truckers, the professionals, were among the nicest group of people I ever met. I miss a lot of those guys. When I retired some of them got me a card and Tim Hortons (coffee shop) mug. When my partner was involved in a serious MC accident, some of the local truckers went to the hospital (75 mile drive) to see him.

It's not a a war between DOT and truckers everywhere. You get back what you give to other people.

Bob Bancroft · Nov 3, 2013

Neighbor farmers with CDL's and myself just started getting these "self certification" letters this summer. With the threats, if you didn't choose a category, and return form, you would get knocked back to a regular license. Interstate, or intrastate, exempted or not. Clear as mud. None of the fed. exemptions listed. Thanks a lot NY!

john in la · Nov 3, 2013

Bob;
If you tell me a little about your operation I may be able to help you understand this new law.

First thing is.... understand this is not NY. This new law is federal and NY has no say so in it. The law is designed so the feds can get people that do not meet the physical requirements of a truck driver and who are not exempt off the highway to make it safer for everyone.

The form has 2 questions.
Interstate or intrastate
and exempt or non exempt.

I will assume a few things based or your response.
You are a farmer who lives and works in NY.

If you are your product does not cross a state line (your farm is in NY and you sell your grain to a elevator in NY or buy your supplies from a farm supply in NY) you are intrastate.

If you are a farmer who drives a truck that is not a combination vehicle (power unit and towed unit), and you use it to transport agricultural products, farm machinery or farm supplies (no placardable hazardous materials) to and from your farm and within 150 air-miles of the farm you are exempt.

So you would check intrastate exempt.

If you want to talk off forum let me know and I will send you a email.
New Medical Certification Requirements

Bob Bancroft · Nov 3, 2013

What happens when 150 miles easily could get you across state lines? In my case, most likely PA. I've had this tandem axle dump(54000#) truck for maybe 12 years. I went into PA with it once. If I understand correctly, if I am intrastate, "exempted" operation, I get a restriction on my license, forbidding crossing state lines. So then if I do cross over into PA, I'm illegal?

Bob Bancroft · Nov 3, 2013

After I left an initial reply below, I went to your link, and read it. I read that I qualify for "excepted interstate operation".
NY state offered no such language on the form they sent out. I even took it to the local DMV office for advice. They said to check "excepted intrastate operation" as that was the only choice for avoiding a physical.
I still think NY is screwing this up and handling it wrong.

john in la · Nov 3, 2013

What you say is true BUT......

If you live within 150 miles of the state line and there is any chance you may cross said state line then claim interstate exempt.
This will allow you to cross state lines and still be exempt.
The federal rules allow you to be a farmer and cross state lines and still be exempt.

I am assuming you have a interstate CDL.

john in la · Nov 3, 2013

Here is a link to the NY brochure.
Look on the second page top middle.
The only way you can not claim interstate exempt is if you have a K CDL instate only or you have a A3 restriction.
New York brochure

Bob Bancroft · Nov 3, 2013

MY CDL is a class B, issued(renewed) Mar. 2010. Expires Apr. 2018. Tank endorsement. No restrictions. It says nothing about interstate or intrastate.

john in la · Nov 3, 2013

Here is another NY Brochure.

It says......

Excepted Interstate (EI)

Commercial driving operation is permitted across state lines for excepted operation only and you are exempt from the Federal medical requirements.
•You must be age 18 or older (21 or older when noted for certain excepted operations)
•You must have an A3 (Med Cert Exempt) restriction on your driver license.
•You must not have a K (CDL Intrastate Only) restriction on your driver license.
New York

Bob Bancroft · Nov 3, 2013

I have read that one. Thanks for the time and effort on my behalf. I guess I'll just have to wait until renewal time comes near and try to get it straightened out.
A neighbor, who got his letter, and returned it after I did, just got another letter back from the state- saying he filled it out wrong. He has farm plated straight trucks, and only runs between farms locally, marked excepted intrastate operation !!!

Dean Olson · Nov 3, 2013

We have civilian inspectors working the weigh station between Houston and Dallas. Seems like they go out of there way to find "something". I stay ahead of them and recently got my CVSA stickers. I manage to get them every year. These stickers are highly sought after as it's not likely I'll get inspected for another year.

He ,civilian inspector, wanted to put me out of service over my log book. I use a form for 1st time and intermittent drivers. This form is right out of the CVSA manual. He had never seen it and wanted individual log book pages for every day of the month I'm off duty. I requested a supervisor and was proven to be in compliance.

If you just roll over they will take advantage of you.

My inspector seemed to be a good enough guy but over worked and under pressure.

This weigh station is extremely busy and has 5 bays full with inspections all day long. They have 2-3 people on every truck. Lead inspector supervising while 1-2 other guys are under and around the truck. Training I guess.

Bret4207 · Nov 3, 2013

(quoted from post at 09:55:08 11/03/13) I have read that one. Thanks for the time and effort on my behalf. I guess I'll just have to wait until renewal time comes near and try to get it straightened out.
A neighbor, who got his letter, and returned it after I did, just got another letter back from the state- saying he filled it out wrong. He has farm plated straight trucks, and only runs between farms locally, marked excepted intrastate operation !!!

Bob, I think you're in E Troop. Call the SP barracks closest to you and get the number for the CVEU. Try Auburn which is 255-2766. Ask to talk to the Troop CVEU Supervisor and he can either answer your question or direct you to someone who can. Those are the guys you'll run into and they can straighten you out better than DMV.

john in la · Nov 3, 2013

I hate to have to tell you this but
"wait until renewal time comes near and try to get it straightened out"
is not a option since you said your license expiries in 2018

You need to get this taken care of by Jan 30 2014 or your CDL will become null and void and will be downgraded to a regular car drivers license.

If you let it go to far after Jan 30,2014 they will make you start the CDL process all over again just like you never had one. This includes 3rd party road test and taking all the test over again.

Bob Bancroft · Nov 3, 2013

I filled the form out and returned it. So as far as I know, I've done all I can. Except that I'll be tagged with excepted intrastate operation. I think I qualify for, and would like to have excepted interstate operation. There must be a way a person can change category?

Bret4207 · Nov 4, 2013

(quoted from post at 19:11:43 11/03/13) I filled the form out and returned it. So as far as I know, I've done all I can. Except that I'll be tagged with excepted intrastate operation. I think I qualify for, and would like to have excepted interstate operation. There must be a way a person can change category?

Okay, I've given you good advice that you ignore. The only way you're going to know is to either talk to the right person or call the number on the form for HELP. You don't seem to want to talk to the SP CVEU guys who could probably help you and you don't seem inclined to want to call and actually talk to someone at the licensing section that can help you. I imagine you will be ticketed, but it won't be anyone elses fault but your own now, will it? John in La is a great guy and very knowledgeable, but he's not in NY and not working for DMV and not going to pay your fines. I don't mean to be rude, but you're just delaying the inevitable by not going to the sources you need to.

Bob Bancroft · Nov 5, 2013

Interesting. You don't mean to be rude. But a day after the Sunday discussion on this issue you have already decided I'm ignorant. I have been rather busy with harvest and related activities. There are a few hours of the year where I can't put a value on my time, but whatever it is, it's worth a whole lot more trying to get a crop planted, or harvested, than trying to make phone calls. I finished harvest today, voted, and started to pursue this issue. And of course everyone is gone for the day.

Bret4207 · Nov 6, 2013

The NYSP went home for the day? Really? Don't think so Bob. If you do ever get around to talking to someone, get what they tell you in writing, it helps clear matters up at a later time if there is any confusion.

BTW, I went to the trouble of locating where you are, what Troop you are in and the phone # to a local Zone (I think) headquarters which is manned 24/7/365. That's rude alright.

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