Hypothetical HOS Situation

Say you're planning on stopping at a truck stop, knowing that you'll barely be able to make it before running out your 14 hour clock. I'm talking like razor thin margin here.

Now say there's a scale about 2 miles before that truck stop.

And let's say they pull you in and want to do a full-on inspection.

Could you get away with saying something like the following?

"I'm sorry officer, I can't be inspected right now. Unfortunately I'll be out of hours in about 5 minutes, and if I stay on duty for this inspection you'll be forcing me to be in violation. I have to take my 10 hour break now. Thank you for your time. I'll just be heading down to the truck stop now. Good day."

And when he or she begins to object, you could say, "I SAID GOOD DAY!" and just drive off.

Hahaha... they'd probably just say, take your 10 hour right here and we'll be waiting when you are ready.

I think it depends on the kind of DOT Officer you pull. If you get lucky he might tip his hat and say get a move on. You get a ****** and he might say that sounds like a personal issue and continue with the inspection.

Also. I don't think its wise to let your clocked roll down to 10 hour 55 minutes.

You do not need any break to be on duty. You can go past 14 hours on duty legally, then just take your ten hour break right there at the scales when inspection is done.

You do not need any break to be on duty. You can go past 14 hours on duty legally, then just take your ten hour break right there at the scales when inspection is done.

No its still a violation of hos.... You can put your self in the sleeper and he can inspect your truck... You are still with your truck.... Off duty means you might be away from it.... Is my guess but I know if you go over your 14 its a violation

It's only a violation if you drive after that 14 hour mark. You can be on duty as long as you want, but you have to take that 10 hour before you drive.

It's only a violation if you drive after that 14 hour mark. You can be on duty as long as you want, but you have to take that 10 hour before you drive.

Right, plus you must be on duty during the inspection. Going off duty at the scales is a fast way to a ticket.

Persian Conversion, I think this is a great idea, by the way. Please trip plan for that to happen and let us know how far you get down the road after that last "GOOD DAY!"

Ok say it's your 70 then. Say you only have 5 hours available today because you've used up 65 of your 70 in the last 6 days, and you've already used 4.75 today. What then?

Persian Conversion, I think this is a great idea, by the way. Please trip plan for that to happen and let us know how far you get down the road after that last "GOOD DAY!"

Lol this situation almost happened to me today, which was why I thought about it. But I really had no choice due to load scheduling and my location. The only thing that saved me? The scale was closed!

It's only a violation if you drive after that 14 hour mark. You can be on duty as long as you want, but you have to take that 10 hour before you drive.

That's true. You'll just start your 10 hour break later.

Dave