Got my first DOT violation how screwed am I?
Posted by KingDinkleber6@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 39 comments
Got pulled over in Utah and got caught for failure to stop at port of entry and a log book violation for false log book reporting….didn’t put out of service but got the ticket and sent on my way how will this affect me? Been driving For a year and this is my first time getting pulled over and a citation
FATGATSAMA@reddit
Go to court and fight the ticket do not try and chance it the log book violation can be devastating
KingDinkleber6@reddit (OP)
Would you recommend tvc pro driver I’m also OTR and live in Texas
12InchPickle@reddit
I always recommend Off The Record. You pay the lawyer. Submit anything they need (usually just the citation). Then give a basic explanation on what happens. And that’s it. They’ll take it to court and update you on what happened.
LastMongoose7448@reddit
This right here. Got a CA lane violation completely dismissed.
Hairymike6340@reddit
Ca only is in it for the money. They all are but, Ca is not shy about bragging about it
LastMongoose7448@reddit
Honestly, dealing with CHP is a lot easier than most state DOT officers. I’ve never had a problem with those guys. State Troopers in Kansas? Straight up fuck those assholes! Wanna-be tough guys, all of them.
sum_say_its_luk@reddit
I got one dismissed on my own the process isn’t that hard really
KingDinkleber6@reddit (OP)
Hey Mr pickle I used off the record $430 got a lawyer with a 98% win rate if the ticket somehow gets dismissed will my csa points and future employment with other companies still be affected?
LastMongoose7448@reddit
If the DOT officer did an inspection, you’ll have PSP points. Companies look at those case-by-case. It wasn’t an issue are far as I was concerned.
Actual_Handle_3@reddit
That's not necessarily so. If the ticket is on the inspection, and it's dismissed, then the DataQ challenge is presumed to be correct. That's why drivers hate the warnings, because they can't be dismissed and there is no presumption of inaccuracy.
Intrepid_Process_869@reddit
I got a warning for violating the 14hr rule because the officer didn't understand how split sleeper pairing works. Am I screwed? It's the only thing on my MVR
Actual_Handle_3@reddit
Dud you get a ticket or only a warning?
Intrepid_Process_869@reddit
Only a warning. Can't fight it. My supervisor forgot to report it when I sent him, so safety called me asking if I had reported it, because it showed up on my MVR and they weren't aware.
I'm good at this company for now, but it's definitely on my MVR and being a warning I can't fight it.
Actual_Handle_3@reddit
Ok, one, it's not on your mvr, it's on your pre-employment, PSP and your company's CSA. essentially, if you're producing and it's not a big violation, you shouldn't have problems. Biggie would be cellphone or seat belt violation. Egregious logbook violation. Violating oos. Those may get you fired.
Naw_im_sayin@reddit
Off The Record couldn’t help me because my incident occurred in the middle of bf nowhere Iowa 😰
Ornery_Ads@reddit
I've heard a lot of good about them, but word of warning, if you plea not guilty before you contact them, they won't take the case. They will only find you a lawyer if they cover it from the very beginning including just sending off a not guilty plea to contest the citation
Cardinal_350@reddit
Do not pay one of those bullshit ticket clinics. Find a local lawyer in the district you received the ticket in and use them. That guy plays golf with all the people at the courthouse. I just call a lawyer in the area and ask if they handle those kinds of cases or if they know someone that does. You'll eventually get the right guy that handles your exact issue
CakewalkNOLA@reddit
I don't know how TVC is now, but they didn't show up on court for me in 96 and I found out my license was suspended while I was in Canada trying to get back into the states.
FATGATSAMA@reddit
I'll be honest bud I'm not to sure who to use exactly in Texas but I'm sure someone in this group would know who to use
mikestockdale@reddit
Yes! This! 👆👆👆 Take no chances!
Turbulent-Ad-1985@reddit
Always pay for a lawyer
EddieV77@reddit
Well try to fight it but one violation every couple years won’t hurt your record
KingDinkleber6@reddit (OP)
most definitely will thanks for helping me keep my spirits up about this
EddieV77@reddit
They actually reset like every 3 years
Worldly_Papaya_8930@reddit
So I’m guessing for future reference it’s best to run paper logs as well in case ur electric log glitches
Radiant_Pick6870@reddit
That would be considered having two logs.. Lol so no.
ScaredPerformance733@reddit
Out of curiosity, what ELD were you using?
Late-Recognition5587@reddit
I was wondering this. Mine automatically switches to driving if the vehicle exceeds 10.
Naive-Appointment-23@reddit
10?! Mine switches at 4mph 😂
Deep_Resource3081@reddit
The false logbook will go to the carrier. hope you like your company you’re with and hope they don’t fire you for dodging the port, you won’t get out of that ticket with a lawyer, not in Utah.
kanodoggg@reddit
Utah isn't too bad of a place to be in prison. Certainly better conditions than Texas or Oklahoma
vfittipaldi@reddit
What was the false log book thing for? A friend of mine hired a lawyer and fought Utah or Idaho i dont remember in court for a log book violation and he won.
KingDinkleber6@reddit (OP)
I drove in sleeper berth for 104 miles cause my tablet doesn’t automatically update when I start driving and how much did it cost and did he hire a local lawyer ?
MikeMcK83@reddit
Had you certified that yet?
vfittipaldi@reddit
Oh you will win this 100%. That's a ridiculous fine. Yes he hired local but i don't know how much he paid.
KingDinkleber6@reddit (OP)
I found one for $400 in legal fees I hope this goes well thank you for your feedback
Princess_Wensicia@reddit
Didn’t you log in a pre trip? It would have kicked you out of sleeper. That’s probably what triggered the diesel cop.
I had the Legal Shield subscription but never used them. If you signed up with TVC, by all means use them. Google yields quite a few results for cdl ticket lawyers in Utah, I guess you could give them a call see what they have to say.
You will have to report the ticket to your company. See if they have any advice for you.
Waisted-Desert@reddit
That's 100% on your ELD provider and the carrier that uses them. Definitely fight it in court.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/eld-functions-faqs
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-395/subpart-B
KingDinkleber6@reddit (OP)
I drove in sleeper berth for 104 miles cause my tablet doesn’t automatically update when I start driving and how much did it cost and did he hire a local lawyer ?