Dot Daily Vehicle Inspection: Fill & Download for Free

No, in fact semis are probably the safest vehicles on the highway. They're operated by professionals with actual training who get drug tested on a regular (and random) basis; the trucks themselves are inspected daily by their drivers, randomly by the DOT, at least annually by certified inspectors, and generally monthly by the companies that own them; and drivers are both prohibited and somewhat effectively prevented from driving while tired. The fine for holding a phone while driving a semi is $2,250…and that's just the one from the federal government.Of all accidents between a car and a truck, the car was at fault 85% of the time.As far as I'm concerned, the most dangerous thing on the highway is Facebook.

I have the exact experience you are looking for…I purchased through a government auction a 2005 Demers MXP-154 Mystere ambulance built on a Ford F-450 chassis two months ago. This vehicle had 22,550 kilometres on the clock and 890 hours on the Hobbs meter. The body and chassis are spotless - zero rust other than a touch of surface rust. There is only minimal wear and tear (ie one of the seats has a small tear that can be repaired with a bit of contact cement and a bit of skill). This is not your typical ambulance - Jean-Paul Beauchesne, Paramedic (2012-present) is well familiar with the “rode hard and put away wet” working ambulances. This one sat in a garage at an airport and was only driven enough to keep things from seizing up. At 15 years of age, it is still easily maintained but it has NONE of the ‘modcons” like backup cameras, MP3 player, LED lighting, etc. The heat and air work fine. The AM/FM/CD radio works fine. The cab is a bit noisy, being a diesel work truck and all…Now for the money…I paid in the range of $17,500 plus tax. The temporary transit permit was $24. The vehicle inspection was $650. The periodic maintenance that was due, was another $450. The license plate was $77. The insurance was $6600 BECAUSE this vehicle, as configured, is treated as a heavy commercial vehicle like a dump truck. My usual driver’s license covers the curb weight but if I upgrade to a commercial driver’s license, my insurance will drop somewhat. My insurance will drop as I demonstrate safe driving over time, or so I am told.Currently I am waiting for the Ministry of Transportation to decide if I need to become a Commercial Vehicle Operator, which has its own costs - I am acting like I am one simply because I want to get a feel for how much trouble it will be. So far it consists of a daily vehicle inspection (and report), a daily driver’s log book and driver abstracts. There will be more…It gets horrible gas mileage (compared to say a car or a plain pickup). The good thing is diesel is readily available and once warmed up, the engine runs strong and smoothly. It has a 125 litre tank that will badly damage a $150 bill most days (Covid-19 price drop notwithstanding).Unlike what Donna Sprague, former Retired nurse, writer, smartass, Grandma said, the vehicle is FULLY FUNCTIONAL with siren, lights and radios (although the radios are on a frequency that is not used in this province or the next one over…) The oxygen system works. The suction system works. The electrical system works (I do need to replace the after market conversion batteries because they have been installed since new and that is WELL past their best-before date….) There is no cost saving if I disable these features. I just can’t use them legally in this province, in spite of the temptation to do so.Because the insurance company is treating this vehicle like a commercial vehicle, I am exploring opportunities to make a bit of money with it to help defray the expenses.IF you really want one, let me know (pat(dot)warner(at)rogers(dot)ca) and I will broker one for you. I can deliver anywhere in Canada. You need to be realistic with your budget - I got lucky on this one. The next one could be more expensive at the auction block, need repairs, etc. My price will be “cost plus” delivered to your door step. It could take 2–3 months for the right deal to come around.

All trucks and vans and even most SUVs and minivans are considered commercial vehicles. The important factor is the gross weight.Each state has its own requirements for stopping at the truck scales. In general, Class 3 trucks and vans or heavier must stop at the scales, even if they are empty.The other factor is if your truck is being used for commercial purposes—hauling commercial goods, which can be very heavy. Trucks hauling commercial goods are far more likely to be overloaded.However, if the large truck is a rental, there are often exceptions. Check out this website to see which states require rental trucks to stop at scales: https://www.moving.com/tips/does-my-moving-truck-need-to-stop-at-a-weigh-station/ Commercial vehicles are required to stop at weigh stations in the majority of states. However, only certain states also require that rental trucks carrying household goods (in other words: non-commercial use trucks) stop at weigh stations. If the rental truck weighs over 10,000 lbs, it may need to stop at weigh stations in certain states regardless.For example, California - Yes: “Rental trucks can be a U-Haul, Ryder, Sears, Budget, Enterprise, etc. A rental truck is a motor truck, according to CVC Section 410, and must stop at the weigh stations. Most scale facilities make this very clear with signs reminding drivers: ‘All Daily Rental/Moving Trucks Must Stop At Scales When Open.’ However, if the rental truck is a pick up, it does not necessarily have to stop… If the rental truck is a flat bed or utility bed, then YES, it does have to stop.”However, here is the bottom line. If it is clearly a rental truck, like a yellow Penske or U-Haul, the scales often ignore you, figuring you are an idiot not used to driving a truck and don’t know about scales. They really don’t want you going through and causing delays because you don’t know what to do. Penske and U-Haul have a good reputation for maintaining their vehicles properly anyway, and they register the vehicles with the DOT and do the annual inspections. The type of items typically packed into rental trucks are household furniture and goods, which are relatively light weight, and it is unlikely that the truck will exceed its weight limits.Remember, it is always possible that a rental customer may have overloaded the truck, and that is the main point of the scales. Whether or not they will get upset if you don’t stop depends on several factors, mostly if they have the time and inclination to chase you down. I’ve been told in California they get all kinds of pickup trucks and even SUV’s pulling in when they don’t need to and it is irritating to them. Some scales have signs “No Pickups!” They also have a problem with people thinking the scales are a nice place to stop and use the restroom. They hate that and absolutely won’t let you use their bathroom. Even if they pull you over for inspection, they won’t let you get out of your truck. Even if you are tired and falling asleep, they do not want you to stop there to rest, even if they are closed. The bathroom door will be locked and they don’t want you peeing on the side of the building.In my Class 4 rig here in So. Calif, I missed the scale a few times and was only chased down and cited once. I always tried to remember to stop. Sometimes when I did go though the scales they must have been bored or something because they pulled me over and gave me a hard time looking for something wrong, any little picky thing. They can always find something to complain about if they want to. It’s hit or miss.If you own a Class 4 truck for personal reasons (not commercial use), like I did, you will still have to pull into the scale or you will eventually be chased down, pulled over, and cited. I was required to do all the things a commercial use truck had to do, including registering with the DOT, signage, annual inspections, and pay for a very expensive $1 mil insurance policy. I was not a commercial driver. It was a real pain. My beloved Class 4 Isuzu NPR with Chevy V8 gasoline engine:So, my next personal truck was a used bright yellow Penske rental with the same Chevy V8 gasoline engine. It was also a Class 4, and was even LARGER than my first truck, but I didn’t have to register with the DOT. I get VERY cheap insurance as an RV (lower mileage limits) and have never had to pull into the scales, even though I am technically required to. If anyone ever wants to verify my RV status, I have a foam futon bed folded up in the back to sleep on. Bright yellow stealth technology.