[Laneco]

Oh good God let me give you a brief rundown of the list of things that are wrong here...

This is a commercial truck. It is being used in a commercial application. It is hauling something for a commercial application. Commercial truck rules will apply. So let's start out with how this goes "down" beginning with the probable cause and ending with the impound.

1. WTF on the plates. Seriously, WTF? To move this vehicle across state lines you would need a legitimate commercial plate or commercial permit. Not a pizza box and sharpie. This is the probable cause that initiates the traffic stop.
2. To be in commerce, you need a USDOT # and the name of the company clearly displayed on both sides of the truck. You don't have to display this on a newly aquired vehicle, you get 30 days. But you still must HAVE the USDOT # already...
3. Commercial trucks for hire (moving other people's stuff) must have a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance with proof in the form of an MCS90. When hauling used automotive parts, such as engines, $1 million is required.
4. This vehicle is small enough that it does not require a CDL, but the drivers must still be otherwise qualified. The company must have a driver qualification file and the drivers must have in possession a DOT medical card.
5. All commercial drivers must maintain hours of service. These are in a couple of different formats but all are intended to record all of the drivers work time. The intent is to limit the total amount of work time and most importatly, the total driving time and ensure that each driver has rest between shifts. For the trip these guys are doing, a "log book" would be required for each of them.
6. Each commercial vehicle must have an "annual" or "periodic" inspection completed and documentation must be kept on the vehicle. This inspection must be done BEFORE the vehicle is used on the highway.

There's quite a bit more, but these are the things that any officer could readily find as shortages roadside. The insurance and lack of operating authority (no USDOT #) are offences that easily result in the vehicle being impounded. No plates will also do it in some states.


angela