I used to work for IDOT, and have been in many a weigh station. Those officers or scale house attendants are inside watching TV and reading the news paper. They rarely ever realize who is coming through on the scale. The DOT inspections are generated by a computer that observes your company’s DOT number, it does flag the numbers of companies with low scores. So, best advice is to pay attention to your company’s DOT score.
As a retired Police Officer, I can say that he is definitely correct about having a clean truck. If a compliance officer sees that your truck is clean and organized, chances are that this driver has his/her sh*t together!
Good info for the new drivers, I’m a long term veteran of the road, over 4 million miles, just a couple of things I would like to add about scales. Watch your speed. All scales have speed limits, watch the signs, they will pay much closer attention to you if you are speeding down the scale ramp. Some states, like Illinois still have scales where they want you to split your drives on the scale, watch the signs, some want headlights off, most require a full stop before pulling on the scale, then no more than 3 mph across the scale. DO NOT roll past an open scale without stopping, unless you have a prepass that said ok. Some scales are now equipped with cameras instead of chase cars, the ticket will come in the mail. Treat everyone with respect, listen to drivers that are trying to help you, look at straps and chains on passing trucks and ones that you pass, let the drivers know if possible that they have a loose strap or chain. Be kind to one another and Stay Driven. Dan.
They need to have a CB radio. Everyday on Channel 19, you'll hear a driver trying to tell a driver they see something wrong with the load or truck or trailer only to fall on deaf ears. The new generation don't believe in CB radios or I've heard companies don't allow them. Truckin' sure isn't the way it used to be.
Landstar is one of the company that does not get pulled in to the scales that often, because their truck are inspected every 6 months, by an outside source
Used to run up and down the Adelaide hills many years ago. Old equipment, but always kept the tyres and lights in good order. Had a car run up the back of me going up a hill in c2001. Coppers and CFS come out, and the officer said straight out to me: "We see you running up and down this road nearly every day. You run good tyres and all your light work. We are not worried about you! There are other drivers that are on this road that give us ulcers!!!"
Reputation is a good thing in any industry! Its better to spend 3000 dollars on a new tire than to receive a fine and ticket of the same value aswell as losing CSA pts.
Easiest way to not get inspected on the road, get a voluntary inspection after you know the rig is 💯 legal. You will get a your level one inspection sticker, that will keep DOT off you for some time. I only inspected in Banning California.
I go for my voluntary inspection every 90 Days. Right after I complete my BIT inspection I go straight to the scales and get my sticker. I go to the scale above Temecula. Haven’t been pulled in a scale yet! 😉
Great tips! I used to drive for Landstar. I keep my truck clean, shiny, and wheels polished with tire shine if it’s not raining. I’ve been DOT’d ONCE in 8 years!
Retired heavy haul driver here. Spent 30+ years on the road. Great tips especially about keeping inside of truck clean and dash area free of clutter. As far as outside not quite as much, most understand "open equipment" is a lot of times off road, but as long as windshield, mirrors, lights are clean they over look it. Worked for a large company with a good safety rating which helped. In all those years I can only remember 5 full fledged DOT inspections. Always kept paperwork within arms reach and orderly including OS/OW permits. 99.9% of the guys working the scales are just doing their job even had one ask me one day if I would help him train a new officer on what to look for on permits. I did and he over looked a tire that was starting to go bad, just told me to get it replaced. And remember ATTITUDE COUNTS!! If you go in being an ass, chances are you will get the same treatment in return. The same counts when being pulled over alongside the road.
Solid advice, great tips. I am under permit 99% of the time, so I know what you mean by knowing your permit book. I call always tell they appreciate me being able to find every document they ask for quickly. I get my weight scrutinized, they measure my truck and axle spacings, measure the load, etc My truck, trailer, and gear are always in presentable condition... and it pays off. I rarely get inspected and I am in the scale houses daily.
So true...I drove for a refuse company that had registrations on the sun visor,glove compartment,or in the door pocket.Went thru a level one DOT and had trouble finding all the paperwork..Very embarrassing.Told them to put registration books in the trucks.. Maintenance Foreman argued with me and said it wasn't necessary.
you forgot 'if you know about a company that has a bad reputation... stay away from them!' lol I once drove for this one company that their A trailers were old BUT underneath was brand new, well kept. the inspector was going on on what he looks for and was convinced he'd be writing me up for a stack of fines and was telling me too, lol. wish I had filmed it as he's voice started dropping in disappointment and being in shock. told me he was incredibly impressed and thought for sure he'd get me on something ;) I did ask him about this truck sitting there and that's when he told me, when we see that company come by we already know we are shutting them down for reset. lol
Also if company has a driver who acts like an ahole every time DOT deals with him/her. His behaviour is putting a big target on his company and other drivers who drive for that company
New driver here. I really think it would benefit the driver and state where you get inspected if they do find something wrong with the truck or trailer if you get put out of service you fix what you need fixed but automatically pay the state as well a small fine but it doesn’t go on your license. Because even if you get warnings it still goes against your license which kind of defeats the purpose of a warning.
Dirty lights,dirty mirrors,dirty windshield,all magnets for inspections,keep your extinguisher up to date,emergency triangles,those are often over looked items. Keep the pigtail and air lines off the deck,any chafing,or marks can be used against you.
To go with being respectful to DOT officers, I got stopped for a random paperwork check on a backroad in Colorado a few weeks ago, for what ever reason my ELD had went down, and wouldn’t you know he asked to see my E-Logs. I showed it to him and he knew right away it wasn’t working properly! To keep it short I will just say, I started a conversation with him and talked to him for 15 mins, he cut me loose and away I went. He just said get it fixed ASAP.
And check kinked airlines behind the spring at the end right before the gland hands, got hit for that one, aka gland hand handles will take care of that problem. Worth the money.
I work for prime. 6 months in. Almost everyone I know here from my trainers or people I've met. None have been inspected. Some have 6+ years of working here. Prime has a good reputation.
@@nicholasmays2704 I can. Company driver. Had a lot of issues when I first got my truck, Prime got everything looked at & fixed. They want you to keep up on truck&trailer maintainence. I don't get forced to run over my hours, but dispatch keeps me rolling. No issues with my pay checks. Overall it's alright. Minimal issues that aren't even worth mentioning.
@@jorgem838 I can't remember the exact percentage. But, definitely not worth it. You have to govern your truck to 65 and have all the same safety bullshit company trucks have. I.E CAS/CMS, lane diversion, etc. I think they have an overflow program for late stuff though, I've seen a few retro trucks hauling ass with Prime trailers.
Another good thing to do to keep your truck from being inspected, is to have your truck inspected at it and proved inspection place every 6 months, if you want to spend the extra cash you can do it every 3 months, d o t will know that you inspect your truck constantly to make sure it's up to date and free of defects
@@markbrooker9733 do you know about scale pass, Landstar trucks are inspected every 6 months by an independent inspector, they have less violations on their truck and that's why they always most the time get a green light to bypass the scale
Hello, I’m 23 with no prior truck driving experience (other than going to work with my dad when I was younger) I’m currently looking towards getting my CDL in IL and I really appreciate the videos you put up. I wish you luck and hopefully I see you on the road one day to give thanks.
Well the fact that he said he could find something wrong with your truck if he chooses to goes to show they will tamper with your truck. I've caught DOT tampering with drivers brakes just to create a violation using a hidden camera system. The system was to see if drivers are actually doing their pre-trip inspections but caught the dot officer tampering with a brake line when he couldn't find anything else wrong with the truck. It was a really old truck from the 70's.
So far, what I experienced as a former driver. I kept my rig clean as possible and never got inspected. Not only for dot purpose but simply for my self. I didnt want to be a stereo type truck driver. Being know as a dirty person.
Make sure trailer abs light is off. Do exactly the speed limit on the scale. Stop at all stop signs at scale. No sudden movements on the scale (slamming on breaks and easy on the throttle)
Attitude is huge. To the scale masters, fellow drivers AND to yourself. It's true about Wyoming. I try to keep securements in good order. Go through all my straps periodically to MAKE SURE I don't have anything that doesn't look right. Cut those with cuts down to a shorter strap and torch the ends to keep 'em from fraying. Spray lube on both types of binders so they're loose and ready to work when I need them to and so on. It's basically winter now and I found a bay in a shop I rent. So I'm hours in there when I'm home checking all kinds of things or improving stuff. Get a CB and learn how to use it. ESPECIALLY in winter.
They love to do rolling DOT checks here where I live, especially on the back roads where truckers try to avoid scales, but appearances go a long way. Keep your truck looking nice, and up to snuff, you'll be able to avoid or have a very pleasant interaction with DOT officers/troopers. As much as they are the bane of a truckers existence, they are there for a reason. Cheers for the video!
Its always good to hear from you Brian. I don’t think the idea is how to avoid a DOT inspection. Rather it’s how to avoid getting violations during a DOT inspection. As you’ve mentioned in previous videos a proper and thorough pre trip will minimize your chance of having problems should you get pulled in. In CA we have to get a minimum of 4 inspections a year done quarterly to get a current CVSA sticker. When I know I need an updated sticker, I’ll actually stop at the scales and ask for a level 1. It’s not to say I won’t get pulled in at a later time, but by choosing the time I get my inspection I feel I minimize the odds of a surprise inspection. The only things I think I’d add is when I did flat bedding after securing my load, I would pull over after 10 miles and recheck my straps / chains. That way if anything started to come loose you’ll have caught it before it’s become a real issue. If you have hazmat on board, make sure you have an ERG book, and your bill of ladings within reach. Hazmat BOL’s should be on the top of any other BOL’s. Make sure you have the right size fire extinguisher and that it’s charged. Make sure you have a current hazmat permit. I also padlock a trailer if carrying hazmat even if it’s not a placardable quantity. Lastly, and especially for company drivers make sure your registration, insurance, permits, IFTA and any other necessary papers are current. For companies with slip seating this can be a big problem as not all drivers care and paperwork is easily lost. Don’t forget to check the trailer(s) and dolly if applicable to make sure the registration is on that piece of equipment and it too is current. After your inspection put the paperwork right back where it goes - don’t wait until your next stop.
Make sure to put your landing gear all the way up as well... similar to dirty dash.;. Just low hanging fruit that shows you’re not paying attention to detail or are sloppy.
I would like to see your evidence to prove your theory but I'm pretty sure you have none you're just about as crazy as he is having a dirty truck improves your chances of getting an inspection bullshit
Tony Odom lol you prolly have McDonald’s bags up on your dash and haven’t washed your truck this year. Open your eyes and look behind the scales and see how many shiny trucks vs nasty dirty junk trucks are back there
Just got my Class A license in Illinois, I have been following you and want to say your videos have been a great help since I’m leaning towards flatbed
Flatbed is miserable work. If you show up or unloaded after 3 pm you’ll be sitting til Monday for a load. More apt to flat tires due to nails in most yards. Tarping in rain or snow and hot weather sucks!. No thanks, I’ll stay van or reefer.
You do not "avoid" DOT inspections. If one is coming your way, its coming. You can Pass with cherries on top like its ice cream but its still coming. I have said this before and will repeat it. If that Officer wants an easy inspection on a level one or two to make his day he will do it. You can be the first in line or number 50 in line. You can be a bull hauler and another with a missing fairing. You can be a 75 Custom Chrome Shop Special and no other truck on the road. The only way the officer will know for sure that you are organized in the cab is to stop you and inspect. If an officer wants his 5-10-15 "make contact/inspections for the month to fill a quota "or make contact to easy inspection" you will get one. Pass or fail, shiny or dirty...its coming. Steering wheel holders need to get off this idea that they are going to spend their careers based on "Im good to go, that officer has no Probable Cause on me." We are Federally Regulated on ICC. DOT does not use PC to stop a truck. If they want you stopped you will get stopped. Sometimes you are the one that makes his "5 contacts for the shift." Its not always about a violation, its about the officer at least getting in the inspection. Regardless of you. That is the BS we have to put up with. Yes it is BS. Only 4- wheelers get a PC stop by due process. The trucking industry is not that way. Federally regulated property is no different at a port facility or a government base. If that CIVILIAN gate guard wants to crawl your truck before your entry he will. Otherwise he will point you to your turn around to leave. Are point systems used? Yes! 1-42, 43-62, 63-82, 83-100. Can other drivers in your company drive up your score therefore your chances for being inspected? Yes. Does DOT need any of that to inspect your logs and your rig? Absolutely not!!! And neither does a gate guard. The narcissism that is running us in the ground is BS. When you become it shut the bitchin'
Love your videos, especially the ones for new truck drivers! Next Monday I start my CDL training! So excited and so freaking nervous! LOL, thanks for sharing your info and experience!
Great tips! I've been driving for 14 months and I've heard all the tips except "know your permit book." It makes perfect sense and no different than driving a PVA and having to search around for your insurance and registration while the officer is impatiently waiting on the side of the road. I have NEVER opened my permit book. I guess it is high time I thumb through the thing. lol.
I recommend setting an appointment in your phone's camera for each permit's expiration date with a notification 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 week, and 3 days out. That way you can get a new copy well before the permit expires.
Cover your illegall offroad lights, if they are not DOT or SAE approved( stamp on a lense ) they must be covered. Uncovered lights will get you a VT and most likely inspection
The one thing you new drivers need to know is “ know your pti, forward backward” trust me. DOT will try and trick you when they ask you something about your truck. Also, get yourself a headset to use your phone. They will ticket the crap out of you for holding your phone while driving. Every time I stop, I do a post trip inspection. One more thing, no matter what you’re hauling, stop at all agricultural stations. If you pass it, may god help you. Awesome video.
Another awesome video. Keep them coming. I love learning and getting info about trucking. Just about everything you said I do: ie keep truck clean, check lights, , check air lines, keep wheels clean, etc. keep the videos coming.... awesome job
Another well thought out Video with great info from true life experiences for ALL professional drivers, not just the new ones. I really like the truck cleanliness, Doc book organization, being polite to officers those tips have really helped me out of a few tight times during an inspection that could have gone either way. I think another thing to keep in mind is your PrePass RFID transponders transmit mph, safety record /score and will influence between green and red light. Not 100% on this one but speeding through these pickup points might trigger a red or no signal as well instead of a green bypass. I'm noticing more coops have RFID receivers in the slow lane on the bypass which just might transmit your ID if you blow the coops. I remember in the late '80s (paper days) I was going to blow the coops coming off Cajon pass being way over on weight and logbook not on the right day maybe even week in the hammer lane with the lights off out of gear (loud pipes) thinking I was cool and almost shit my pants when I couldn't get my truck back in gear and had smoke blowing out my brakes trying to get the bitch slowed down. LMAO.
Definitely weigh your loads. I picked up a pre loaded trailer one time load was only 32000. I knew it didn’t feel right going down the road so I stopped and weighed it....sure enough I was 34900 on my drives and 20000 on my tandems it was only 67000 gross.
I’m actually new at this and I’m gonna be driving a truck soon. I just wanna know how can I find out if the truck is over the weight limit or under the weight limit ?
Thank you for what you're doing! Great content and you deliver it in a simple way that even today's simple minded drivers can get. Knowledge from. I pray they find your channel and learn from it what the schools obviously don't teach! Great job!
I’m lucky with my current account, I do late night delivery to Dick’s Sporting Goods in the Pacific Northwest with Schneider National. Scales are closed, the ones that are open don’t ever bother at night.
Not sure but, you shouls do one on how to adjust airbreaks , the trucking school i went to do not show me how and chaining as well, you may never have to chain up, but in case you get stuck in mud or a blizzard, you can get out
Indiana, Wayne County. Scaled legal weight but was 1500 over on trailer. Slid tamdem to be legal, still issued $305 ticket. Weight violations are only violations that don’t go on record or on your CSA scores. BTW TVC legal didn’t do crap for me, couldn’t reappoint another attorney. First one bugged out for bigger case. Just paid the damn thing. So, I cancelled my subscription!
Any light you add to your truck has to work or they will use that as a reason to inspect you and/or write you up. Securement: A driver I know that works for Mercer goes beyond the rules for securement. Many things he hauls on his flatbed he places a chain around the front bottom of the item(s) and the same on the rear. He also does a belly wrap on pipe and such low on the load to keep it in place side to side plus over the load. He has never had a ticket for his loads. Plus he has two onboard scale systems; one in the tractor and one on the trailer. Many years ago I was driving in Washington state and at the scale south of Tacoma they said they could fine me for having the then state license sticker in the wrong place on the multi state plate. It was a company truck and I was not the sticker guy; they let me go, but never told me where it was supposed to be. Just fishing for a reason. Glad I am retired.
Thanks for the info. Finally got all my paperwork for my GI Bill. (Damn zombie apocalypses rehearsals) At some point next week I will be singling out where I am going to get my CDL. Dedicated CDL school or pick a company and roll is still up in the air. Recommendations are welcome. OTR or similar seems to be calling me. Home time is not a priority.
Haha I have no ambition to become a truck driver but it is interesting to hear you talk about the industry!! Without you guys our country and economy would be significantly different. Thank you for all the hard work! Drive safe :)
I'm with Werner as well. I got issued a 2019 579 my choice. I cleaned her up and only got inspected once with a clean bill of health which i got a bonus from on my paycheck. I'm currently running a local Net-Ops account and so far i cannot complain. Over all, not a bad decision. Better than Swift, CRST, or US Express. Plus were governed at 68. Which makes a big difference out there.
cory brearley yeah man, I’m a little nervous for it cuz I don’t know what to expect when driving on the road but this is all a whole new experience for me , how long have you been working for them ?
@@59progamer Once you go out with your trainer, you'll get a feel for how things are done. Once you get your own truck, you'll fall right into place as you won't have the pressure of someone else sitting beside you judging you. One tip while you're out there-sleep at shippers/receivers if time is an issue, OR sleep at rest areas. MANY accidents happen when you try to find parking at a Truck stop. So far im around 6 months in. Luckily there are Million Milers out here with Werner that can help you along the way as well.
@@59progamer Hah it's random. Pray that you get someone good. You'll get paid around 500 per week while you wait for one. The wait can be up to 3 weeks, so be prepared for that. Thankfully i did in the end. However, i had a bad first trainer that used me for miles and treated me as a team not a student in learning. Thankfully, Werner has completely changed how their training system works so now that should not happen anymore.
The fact that they say they can find something wrong with a new truck within 5 miles if they want too , means that they have to much control or the penalty for violations pays good
Nice one again buddy as always newbie here and still never stop getting tips from professionals and experienced. Thus was ver helpful bud appreciated lots.
You say these guys are just trying to do their job...that may be true. But their job is no longer to insure safety on the roads. It is to be a compliance enforcer and revenue generator for the state. They are legalized paid extortionists. That is NOT just like me. There was a time the role these people played was admirable. It is no longer the case.
I would like to add the tires. Your tires will roll right in front of their faces behind the glass. If they look bald,old,low on air. They will pull you in.
Thank you very much I will subscribe you talkin about me I'm on my 13th day doing long haul with a 53-foot box I've been hauling 45 years bottom dumps Long Haul is a new experience for me somebody already wrecked into my trailer another truck I'm broke down right now my Volvo D13 in Ontario California I've made all the other loads on time and safely all the way to Texas 5 loads in Texas thank you very much for the information I haven't got pulled over yet but I go into all the scales do keep my truck clean I feel that they pulled me in they pull me in don't have anything illegal so I should be okay I'm thinking my lights and Equipment seems to be working so should be something small if I did get pulled in
Hey guys new tanker trucker here, currently working locally just wondering if all of the scales stuff apply to an interstate driver or if that's just for someone that's working intrastate? Much appreciated
I might be just a county hwy worker but I still have to keep my tanker and Hazmat endorsements up to date! But from back in the day of hauling household cleaners with corrosive placards on you learn to say yes/no sir how can I help you sir. Show a lot of respect and will get the respect back to you. Great video Brian.
I start trucker school in January. So many questions! What's wrong with inspections? Are they time consuming? Are they fair? Are best practices applicable in all states? Etc...,
Inspections are generally fair and do take 15 minutes to a hour if your good. Some inspectors and states are crooked and looking to generate money. In my experience less than 10% are crooked. But, no matter how conscientious you are. There can be violations. Then when you get a minor violation, your flagged for more inspections which can lead to more violations and further inspections. Good safety rating leading to no inspection is the safest route. (I have my own authority with a great safety record)
@@curtis7599 You better turn yours off when you sleep...I think that he meant have in on while driving instead of these clowns blowing rap music in their brains..
Time stamps below 👇🏻Trouble shifting? Here’s how to shift by rpm’s, never miss another gear! th-cam.com/video/sL5LXTWQdfM/w-d-xo.html
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you figured out the algorithm with the "new truck driver" title getting you some more views, congrats!
Planes,Trains, Automobiles thank you 😁
I used to work for IDOT, and have been in many a weigh station. Those officers or scale house attendants are inside watching TV and reading the news paper. They rarely ever realize who is coming through on the scale. The DOT inspections are generated by a computer that observes your company’s DOT number, it does flag the numbers of companies with low scores. So, best advice is to pay attention to your company’s DOT score.
Where to get these dot scores?
Thanks
As a retired Police Officer, I can say that he is definitely correct about having a clean truck. If a compliance officer sees that your truck is clean and organized, chances are that this driver has his/her sh*t together!
I have also heard clean trucks also get pulled in more as if they look new. They have quota to meet monthly for inspections.
Good info for the new drivers, I’m a long term veteran of the road, over 4 million miles, just a couple of things I would like to add about scales. Watch your speed. All scales have speed limits, watch the signs, they will pay much closer attention to you if you are speeding down the scale ramp. Some states, like Illinois still have scales where they want you to split your drives on the scale, watch the signs, some want headlights off, most require a full stop before pulling on the scale, then no more than 3 mph across the scale. DO NOT roll past an open scale without stopping, unless you have a prepass that said ok. Some scales are now equipped with cameras instead of chase cars, the ticket will come in the mail. Treat everyone with respect, listen to drivers that are trying to help you, look at straps and chains on passing trucks and ones that you pass, let the drivers know if possible that they have a loose strap or chain. Be kind to one another and Stay Driven. Dan.
They need to have a CB radio. Everyday on Channel 19, you'll hear a driver trying to tell a driver they see something wrong with the load or truck or trailer only to fall on deaf ears. The new generation don't believe in CB radios or I've heard companies don't allow them. Truckin' sure isn't the way it used to be.
Also if you're hauling hazmat, you have to enter the scales, despite getting a green light on the Prepass
U
You need dot to get better brokers and better load
The first thing you wanna do is drive for a company with good CSA scores. We hardly ever even get pulled into the scales
Can't be stated enough.
What company is that ?
Landstar is one of the company that does not get pulled in to the scales that often, because their truck are inspected every 6 months, by an outside source
Used to run up and down the Adelaide hills many years ago. Old equipment, but always kept the tyres and lights in good order. Had a car run up the back of me going up a hill in c2001. Coppers and CFS come out, and the officer said straight out to me: "We see you running up and down this road nearly every day. You run good tyres and all your light work. We are not worried about you! There are other drivers that are on this road that give us ulcers!!!"
Reputation is a good thing in any industry! Its better to spend 3000 dollars on a new tire than to receive a fine and ticket of the same value aswell as losing CSA pts.
Easiest way to not get inspected on the road, get a voluntary inspection after you know the rig is 💯 legal. You will get a your level one inspection sticker, that will keep DOT off you for some time. I only inspected in Banning California.
I go for my voluntary inspection every 90 Days. Right after I complete my BIT inspection I go straight to the scales and get my sticker. I go to the scale above Temecula. Haven’t been pulled in a scale yet! 😉
Great tips! I used to drive for Landstar. I keep my truck clean, shiny, and wheels polished with tire shine if it’s not raining. I’ve been DOT’d ONCE in 8 years!
Retired heavy haul driver here. Spent 30+ years on the road. Great tips especially about keeping inside of truck clean and dash area free of clutter. As far as outside not quite as much, most understand "open equipment" is a lot of times off road, but as long as windshield, mirrors, lights are clean they over look it. Worked for a large company with a good safety rating which helped. In all those years I can only remember 5 full fledged DOT inspections. Always kept paperwork within arms reach and orderly including OS/OW permits. 99.9% of the guys working the scales are just doing their job even had one ask me one day if I would help him train a new officer on what to look for on permits. I did and he over looked a tire that was starting to go bad, just told me to get it replaced. And remember ATTITUDE COUNTS!! If you go in being an ass, chances are you will get the same treatment in return. The same counts when being pulled over alongside the road.
Solid advice, great tips.
I am under permit 99% of the time, so I know what you mean by knowing your permit book. I call always tell they appreciate me being able to find every document they ask for quickly.
I get my weight scrutinized, they measure my truck and axle spacings, measure the load, etc
My truck, trailer, and gear are always in presentable condition... and it pays off. I rarely get inspected and I am in the scale houses daily.
So true...I drove for a refuse company that had registrations on the sun visor,glove compartment,or in the door pocket.Went thru a level one DOT and had trouble finding all the paperwork..Very embarrassing.Told them to put registration books in the trucks.. Maintenance Foreman argued with me and said it wasn't necessary.
you forgot 'if you know about a company that has a bad reputation... stay away from them!' lol
I once drove for this one company that their A trailers were old BUT underneath was brand new, well kept. the inspector was going on on what he looks for and was convinced he'd be writing me up for a stack of fines and was telling me too, lol. wish I had filmed it as he's voice started dropping in disappointment and being in shock. told me he was incredibly impressed and thought for sure he'd get me on something ;)
I did ask him about this truck sitting there and that's when he told me, when we see that company come by we already know we are shutting them down for reset. lol
Also if company has a driver who acts like an ahole every time DOT deals with him/her. His behaviour is putting a big target on his company and other drivers who drive for that company
New Truck driver. Enjoying your content! Thanks Brother
New driver here. I really think it would benefit the driver and state where you get inspected if they do find something wrong with the truck or trailer if you get put out of service you fix what you need fixed but automatically pay the state as well a small fine but it doesn’t go on your license. Because even if you get warnings it still goes against your license which kind of defeats the purpose of a warning.
Dirty lights,dirty mirrors,dirty windshield,all magnets for inspections,keep your extinguisher up to date,emergency triangles,those are often over looked items.
Keep the pigtail and air lines off the deck,any chafing,or marks can be used against you.
I love this channel is not about drama and more about what we all do for a living. 🇺🇸
Thank you
Driven Trucking Your welcome brother
To go with being respectful to DOT officers, I got stopped for a random paperwork check on a backroad in Colorado a few weeks ago, for what ever reason my ELD had went down, and wouldn’t you know he asked to see my E-Logs. I showed it to him and he knew right away it wasn’t working properly! To keep it short I will just say, I started a conversation with him and talked to him for 15 mins, he cut me loose and away I went. He just said get it fixed ASAP.
..yea right
Cracked windshield is a big one. Expired. Fire extinguisher
And check kinked airlines behind the spring at the end right before the gland hands, got hit for that one, aka gland hand handles will take care of that problem. Worth the money.
Sounds like most Mexican trucks that seem to breeze by scale houses.
@@philipdru9290 gonna get worse with sleepy Joe Biden at the wheel
That reminds me to check my extinguisher, thanks
I work for prime. 6 months in. Almost everyone I know here from my trainers or people I've met. None have been inspected. Some have 6+ years of working here. Prime has a good reputation.
Can you share your thoughts on prime?
@@nicholasmays2704
I can. Company driver.
Had a lot of issues when I first got my truck, Prime got everything looked at & fixed. They want you to keep up on truck&trailer maintainence. I don't get forced to run over my hours, but dispatch keeps me rolling. No issues with my pay checks.
Overall it's alright.
Minimal issues that aren't even worth mentioning.
@@xldkxnewyorker8914 kool
@@xldkxnewyorker8914 how's the pay as an owner op?
@@jorgem838 I can't remember the exact percentage. But, definitely not worth it. You have to govern your truck to 65 and have all the same safety bullshit company trucks have. I.E CAS/CMS, lane diversion, etc.
I think they have an overflow program for late stuff though, I've seen a few retro trucks hauling ass with Prime trailers.
Another good thing to do to keep your truck from being inspected, is to have your truck inspected at it and proved inspection place every 6 months, if you want to spend the extra cash you can do it every 3 months, d o t will know that you inspect your truck constantly to make sure it's up to date and free of defects
Another good thing is to trade it in every 6 months....
🤣
@@markbrooker9733 do you know about scale pass, Landstar trucks are inspected every 6 months by an independent inspector, they have less violations on their truck and that's why they always most the time get a green light to bypass the scale
Hello, I’m 23 with no prior truck driving experience (other than going to work with my dad when I was younger) I’m currently looking towards getting my CDL in IL and I really appreciate the videos you put up. I wish you luck and hopefully I see you on the road one day to give thanks.
Well the fact that he said he could find something wrong with your truck if he chooses to goes to show they will tamper with your truck. I've caught DOT tampering with drivers brakes just to create a violation using a hidden camera system. The system was to see if drivers are actually doing their pre-trip inspections but caught the dot officer tampering with a brake line when he couldn't find anything else wrong with the truck. It was a really old truck from the 70's.
Work for a company who pays for clean inspections. I usually try to get inspected. One month made $150 in clean inspections!
So far, what I experienced as a former driver. I kept my rig clean as possible and never got inspected. Not only for dot purpose but simply for my self. I didnt want to be a stereo type truck driver. Being know as a dirty person.
what is the meaning of rig clean means whole truck clean or wheel well cleaned please explain me i m new driver
@@LOVEJEET_KHOSA rig is another term for saying truck. Instead of my truck is clean, my rig is clean
@@baezn88 Thanks dear
@@LOVEJEET_KHOSA anytime. Good luck out there. B safe
neighbors, you won't "avoid" inspections. but you can make it a less frequent adventure. hes right on most points related to that.
Make sure trailer abs light is off.
Do exactly the speed limit on the scale.
Stop at all stop signs at scale.
No sudden movements on the scale (slamming on breaks and easy on the throttle)
Thank you for all the new information you give out
Attitude is huge. To the scale masters, fellow drivers AND to yourself.
It's true about Wyoming.
I try to keep securements in good order. Go through all my straps periodically to MAKE SURE I don't have anything that doesn't look right. Cut those with cuts down to a shorter strap and torch the ends to keep 'em from fraying. Spray lube on both types of binders so they're loose and ready to work when I need them to and so on.
It's basically winter now and I found a bay in a shop I rent. So I'm hours in there when I'm home checking all kinds of things or improving stuff.
Get a CB and learn how to use it. ESPECIALLY in winter.
They love to do rolling DOT checks here where I live, especially on the back roads where truckers try to avoid scales, but appearances go a long way. Keep your truck looking nice, and up to snuff, you'll be able to avoid or have a very pleasant interaction with DOT officers/troopers. As much as they are the bane of a truckers existence, they are there for a reason. Cheers for the video!
Its always good to hear from you Brian. I don’t think the idea is how to avoid a DOT inspection. Rather it’s how to avoid getting violations during a DOT inspection. As you’ve mentioned in previous videos a proper and thorough pre trip will minimize your chance of having problems should you get pulled in. In CA we have to get a minimum of 4 inspections a year done quarterly to get a current CVSA sticker. When I know I need an updated sticker, I’ll actually stop at the scales and ask for a level 1. It’s not to say I won’t get pulled in at a later time, but by choosing the time I get my inspection I feel I minimize the odds of a surprise inspection. The only things I think I’d add is when I did flat bedding after securing my load, I would pull over after 10 miles and recheck my straps / chains. That way if anything started to come loose you’ll have caught it before it’s become a real issue. If you have hazmat on board, make sure you have an ERG book, and your bill of ladings within reach. Hazmat BOL’s should be on the top of any other BOL’s. Make sure you have the right size fire extinguisher and that it’s charged. Make sure you have a current hazmat permit. I also padlock a trailer if carrying hazmat even if it’s not a placardable quantity. Lastly, and especially for company drivers make sure your registration, insurance, permits, IFTA and any other necessary papers are current. For companies with slip seating this can be a big problem as not all drivers care and paperwork is easily lost. Don’t forget to check the trailer(s) and dolly if applicable to make sure the registration is on that piece of equipment and it too is current. After your inspection put the paperwork right back where it goes - don’t wait until your next stop.
Great video! One other thing I suggest is check your air bags, especially in the winter. Deflated air bags stick out like a sore thumb!
Make sure to put your landing gear all the way up as well... similar to dirty dash.;. Just low hanging fruit that shows you’re not paying attention to detail or are sloppy.
That's true. It's crazy people will have stuff piled up on there dash. And wonder why they getting pulled in.
I would like to see your evidence to prove your theory but I'm pretty sure you have none you're just about as crazy as he is having a dirty truck improves your chances of getting an inspection bullshit
Tony Odom lol you prolly have McDonald’s bags up on your dash and haven’t washed your truck this year. Open your eyes and look behind the scales and see how many shiny trucks vs nasty dirty junk trucks are back there
Just got my Class A license in Illinois, I have been following you and want to say your videos have been a great help since I’m leaning towards flatbed
Flatbed is miserable work. If you show up or unloaded after 3 pm you’ll be sitting til Monday for a load. More apt to flat tires due to nails in most yards. Tarping in rain or snow and hot weather sucks!. No thanks, I’ll stay van or reefer.
@@aviatortrucker6198 I do car hauling so its kind of the same, lol
hauling flatbeds is good experience in my opinion, it helps you to stay as fit as possible, in my honest opinion 🤷🏽♂️
You do not "avoid" DOT inspections.
If one is coming your way, its coming. You can Pass with cherries on top like its ice cream but its still coming.
I have said this before and will repeat it. If that Officer wants an easy inspection on a level one or two to make his day he will do it. You can be the first in line or number 50 in line. You can be a bull hauler and another with a missing fairing. You can be a 75 Custom Chrome Shop Special and no other truck on the road. The only way the officer will know for sure that you are organized in the cab is to stop you and inspect. If an officer wants his 5-10-15 "make contact/inspections for the month to fill a quota "or make contact to easy inspection" you will get one. Pass or fail, shiny or dirty...its coming.
Steering wheel holders need to get off this idea that they are going to spend their careers based on "Im good to go, that officer has no Probable Cause on me." We are Federally Regulated on ICC.
DOT does not use PC to stop a truck. If they want you stopped you will get stopped. Sometimes you are the one that makes his "5 contacts for the shift." Its not always about a violation, its about the officer at least getting in the inspection. Regardless of you.
That is the BS we have to put up with. Yes it is BS. Only 4- wheelers get a PC stop by due process. The trucking industry is not that way. Federally regulated property is no different at a port facility or a government base. If that CIVILIAN gate guard wants to crawl your truck before your entry he will. Otherwise he will point you to your turn around to leave.
Are point systems used? Yes!
1-42, 43-62, 63-82, 83-100. Can other drivers in your company drive up your score therefore your chances for being inspected? Yes. Does DOT need any of that to inspect your logs and your rig?
Absolutely not!!! And neither does a gate guard. The narcissism that is running us in the ground is BS.
When you become it shut the bitchin'
Thank you so much! I’ve learned a ton from your videos. I’m 2 weeks in to my OTR training and these videos are invaluable.
You’re awesome!
Love your videos, especially the ones for new truck drivers! Next Monday I start my CDL training! So excited and so freaking nervous! LOL, thanks for sharing your info and experience!
Pay attention and put a lot of focus on backing into parking spots. Hope to see you on the road someday.
@@randallbarron861 thank you! But sadly they kicked me to the curb day one. I failed a pulmonary function test. This rocked my world! I'm heartbroken!
@@sassyladyx2 don’t give up on it try and find another company that will take you
Good luck
Great tips! I've been driving for 14 months and I've heard all the tips except "know your permit book." It makes perfect sense and no different than driving a PVA and having to search around for your insurance and registration while the officer is impatiently waiting on the side of the road. I have NEVER opened my permit book. I guess it is high time I thumb through the thing. lol.
I recommend setting an appointment in your phone's camera for each permit's expiration date with a notification 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 week, and 3 days out. That way you can get a new copy well before the permit expires.
Basically u prove my point.. Take the secenic routes an you wont worry about everything u just said...
Cover your illegall offroad lights, if they are not DOT or SAE approved( stamp on a lense ) they must be covered. Uncovered lights will get you a VT and most likely inspection
The one thing you new drivers need to know is “ know your pti, forward backward” trust me. DOT will try and trick you when they ask you something about your truck. Also, get yourself a headset to use your phone. They will ticket the crap out of you for holding your phone while driving. Every time I stop, I do a post trip inspection. One more thing, no matter what you’re hauling, stop at all agricultural stations. If you pass it, may god help you. Awesome video.
Another awesome video. Keep them coming. I love learning and getting info about trucking. Just about everything you said I do: ie keep truck clean, check lights, , check air lines, keep wheels clean, etc. keep the videos coming.... awesome job
Thank you
I just try to have everything that I look for in my pretrip at a quick glance look on the up and up. If they see one thing they’ll look for more.
Always pre trip and roll before dawn. Always look and be clean. Keep your lights in good condition.
Lights and tires are the quickest to a inspect
Another well thought out Video with great info from true life experiences for ALL professional drivers, not just the new ones. I really like the truck cleanliness, Doc book organization, being polite to officers those tips have really helped me out of a few tight times during an inspection that could have gone either way. I think another thing to keep in mind is your PrePass RFID transponders transmit mph, safety record /score and will influence between green and red light. Not 100% on this one but speeding through these pickup points might trigger a red or no signal as well instead of a green bypass. I'm noticing more coops have RFID receivers in the slow lane on the bypass which just might transmit your ID if you blow the coops. I remember in the late '80s (paper days) I was going to blow the coops coming off Cajon pass being way over on weight and logbook not on the right day maybe even week in the hammer lane with the lights off out of gear (loud pipes) thinking I was cool and almost shit my pants when I couldn't get my truck back in gear and had smoke blowing out my brakes trying to get the bitch slowed down. LMAO.
Lol
Been checking into your videos for the advice as I just started driving
Definitely weigh your loads. I picked up a pre loaded trailer one time load was only 32000. I knew it didn’t feel right going down the road so I stopped and weighed it....sure enough I was 34900 on my drives and 20000 on my tandems it was only 67000 gross.
I’m actually new at this and I’m gonna be driving a truck soon. I just wanna know how can I find out if the truck is over the weight limit or under the weight limit ?
@@marieantoinette81 80 000 is the limit. Any cat scale will verify weight.
Thank you for what you're doing! Great content and you deliver it in a simple way that even today's simple minded drivers can get. Knowledge from. I pray they find your channel and learn from it what the schools obviously don't teach! Great job!
Thanks for all the reminders bro! God bless you always!
Love the video great advice when your new to truck driving
I can’t describe every thing in my head all I want to say to you is THANK YOU SIR!
I’m lucky with my current account, I do late night delivery to Dick’s Sporting Goods in the Pacific Northwest with Schneider National.
Scales are closed, the ones that are open don’t ever bother at night.
Not sure but, you shouls do one on how to adjust airbreaks , the trucking school i went to do not show me how and chaining as well, you may never have to chain up, but in case you get stuck in mud or a blizzard, you can get out
all newer trucks have self adjusters and under dot are kot to be adjusted manually. they are to be replaced when jot adjusting.
About to be New non-cdl (class B) driver running hot shot under 26k. Great advice, sir. Earned a follower. Thank you!
Thanks!
Indiana, Wayne County. Scaled legal weight but was 1500 over on trailer. Slid tamdem to be legal, still issued $305 ticket. Weight violations are only violations that don’t go on record or on your CSA scores. BTW TVC legal didn’t do crap for me, couldn’t reappoint another attorney. First one bugged out for bigger case. Just paid the damn thing. So, I cancelled my subscription!
Any light you add to your truck has to work or they will use that as a reason to inspect you and/or write you up.
Securement: A driver I know that works for Mercer goes beyond the rules for securement. Many things he hauls on his flatbed he places a chain around the front bottom of the item(s) and the same on the rear. He also does a belly wrap on pipe and such low on the load to keep it in place side to side plus over the load. He has never had a ticket for his loads. Plus he has two onboard scale systems; one in the tractor and one on the trailer.
Many years ago I was driving in Washington state and at the scale south of Tacoma they said they could fine me for having the then state license sticker in the wrong place on the multi state plate. It was a company truck and I was not the sticker guy; they let me go, but never told me where it was supposed to be. Just fishing for a reason. Glad I am retired.
Legend has it the loves worker in the back is still waiting for you to go back so he can charge you.😂 Na but very informative video driver.
Frigging expensive too those Love’s road service calls 😂
Great information 👍
ima new truck driver and i love your new driver videos. make more. i learn so much. thanks
Thanks for the info. Finally got all my paperwork for my GI Bill. (Damn zombie apocalypses rehearsals) At some point next week I will be singling out where I am going to get my CDL. Dedicated CDL school or pick a company and roll is still up in the air.
Recommendations are welcome. OTR or similar seems to be calling me. Home time is not a priority.
Haha I have no ambition to become a truck driver but it is interesting to hear you talk about the industry!! Without you guys our country and economy would be significantly different. Thank you for all the hard work! Drive safe :)
I just carry $500 rolled in 20's. Usually works.
Lol
Also our company policy is that if the load is under 25000 lbs we don’t have to scale out because it’s pretty impossible to be over weight on an axle
Good stuff boss. Thanks again for your attention to detail. I've probably said to much already. Stay Grey
Thank for tip I just got my CDL
Great video 👍🏻
Many thanks
I just got my license and going to working for WERNER soon, thank you for this video
I'm with Werner as well. I got issued a 2019 579 my choice. I cleaned her up and only got inspected once with a clean bill of health which i got a bonus from on my paycheck. I'm currently running a local Net-Ops account and so far i cannot complain. Over all, not a bad decision. Better than Swift, CRST, or US Express. Plus were governed at 68. Which makes a big difference out there.
cory brearley yeah man, I’m a little nervous for it cuz I don’t know what to expect when driving on the road but this is all a whole new experience for me , how long have you been working for them ?
@@59progamer Once you go out with your trainer, you'll get a feel for how things are done. Once you get your own truck, you'll fall right into place as you won't have the pressure of someone else sitting beside you judging you. One tip while you're out there-sleep at shippers/receivers if time is an issue, OR sleep at rest areas. MANY accidents happen when you try to find parking at a Truck stop. So far im around 6 months in. Luckily there are Million Milers out here with Werner that can help you along the way as well.
cory brearley do you get to choose the trainer ? Or just a random person goes with you ? Cuz I’m here thinking it’s just some strict old dude
@@59progamer Hah it's random. Pray that you get someone good. You'll get paid around 500 per week while you wait for one. The wait can be up to 3 weeks, so be prepared for that. Thankfully i did in the end. However, i had a bad first trainer that used me for miles and treated me as a team not a student in learning. Thankfully, Werner has completely changed how their training system works so now that should not happen anymore.
Can't help but notice the Love's Road Service truck, have another tire issue?
Yep 😤
The fact that they say they can find something wrong with a new truck within 5 miles if they want too , means that they have to much control or the penalty for violations pays good
Some can be safety but others is a money making raket
CDL permit here. I love your vids bro. I have questions
I saw a driver did a hard stop on the scales in Oregon. The DOT came out and had a long talk plus made him pull around back.
Nice one again buddy as always newbie here and still never stop getting tips from professionals and experienced. Thus was ver helpful bud appreciated lots.
Great information. Thanks
VERY USEFUL TIPS 🐺
These are some really good tips .
Good information clearly presented very rare
Thank you
Thank you for all your advice time and dedication for all the new driver out there ❤️
GOOD VID KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK DRIVERRRRRR.
You say these guys are just trying to do their job...that may be true. But their job is no longer to insure safety on the roads. It is to be a compliance enforcer and revenue generator for the state. They are legalized paid extortionists. That is NOT just like me. There was a time the role these people played was admirable. It is no longer the case.
What facts do you have to substantiate your position or is it merely your opinion?
I agree with you!!
Awesome information as always! Thank you!
I would like to add the tires. Your tires will roll right in front of their faces behind the glass. If they look bald,old,low on air. They will pull you in.
Exactly! Love your channel
Good solid advice! Hope that Loves got your tire fixed.
Thank you very much I will subscribe you talkin about me I'm on my 13th day doing long haul with a 53-foot box I've been hauling 45 years bottom dumps Long Haul is a new experience for me somebody already wrecked into my trailer another truck I'm broke down right now my Volvo D13 in Ontario California I've made all the other loads on time and safely all the way to Texas 5 loads in Texas thank you very much for the information I haven't got pulled over yet but I go into all the scales do keep my truck clean I feel that they pulled me in they pull me in don't have anything illegal so I should be okay I'm thinking my lights and Equipment seems to be working so should be something small if I did get pulled in
Good video brother
I wrench on aircraft.... same can be said, I can always find something wrong with a plane during inspection, but doesn’t mean it’s not airworthy.....
The reflection tape was Missing off one of my triangles....nice ticket
Wow
Best way I’ve found is to stay on back roads go around the pickle parks!!
Great advice and instruction!
Hey guys new tanker trucker here, currently working locally just wondering if all of the scales stuff apply to an interstate driver or if that's just for someone that's working intrastate? Much appreciated
John Whooser Doesn’t matter. The scales are for everyone.
I might be just a county hwy worker but I still have to keep my tanker and Hazmat endorsements up to date! But from back in the day of hauling household cleaners with corrosive placards on you learn to say yes/no sir how can I help you sir. Show a lot of respect and will get the respect back to you. Great video Brian.
I start trucker school in January. So many questions! What's wrong with inspections? Are they time consuming? Are they fair? Are best practices applicable in all states? Etc...,
Inspections are generally fair and do take 15 minutes to a hour if your good. Some inspectors and states are crooked and looking to generate money. In my experience less than 10% are crooked. But, no matter how conscientious you are. There can be violations. Then when you get a minor violation, your flagged for more inspections which can lead to more violations and further inspections. Good safety rating leading to no inspection is the safest route. (I have my own authority with a great safety record)
Thank you.
Thank you! 💁🏻♂️🙏🏽
Not another trailer tire !! , you need one of those spare racks like the mobile home haulers with 6 spares : )....Good tips, all spot on.
Lol
Would avoiding weigh stations reduce your chances of being inspected? It's not illegal to route yourself away from weigh stations, is it?
Thank you, I always appreciate your videos. God bless you, sir.
Don’t operate a commercial motor vehicle without a CB leave it on all the time 24 seven that way you can have some idea what is going on around you
@@curtis7599 You better turn yours off when you sleep...I think that he meant have in on while driving instead of these clowns blowing rap music in their brains..