May 2012

I would like to clarify a common misconception about DOT inspections. I hear most guys say it is only a warning, not a ticket or out of service. While obviously a ticket costs $$ directly, an out of service holds you up and has to be corrected before you can move. ANY VIOLATION, ALL VIOLATIONS GO ON YOUR PERSONAL PSP DOT RECORD. Any violation carries points from 1 to 10 depending upon the specific code written up. If is out of service you add 2 points. For example a code
393.104f3 Loose/Unfastened Tie Down
is 10 points–for a non out of service warning.

It is 10 points if it is on the inspection paper.

If that same code is placed out of service it is an additional 2 points bringing the total up to 12 points. So obviously 12 points is worse than 10, but not that much worse—ANY VIOLATION IS A BAD VIOLATION BAD!!!

FOR YOU AND THE COMPANY.