State Police checks
 

Recently there was a post on drag racers being targeted on the highway due to out of state plates. Heres my experience:

As I was leaving Carlisle today, on Rt 81 a Pa trooper approached three trucks that had just left from the GM Nats. We were all in the right lane, 68 or so MPH. He approached the rear truck...stayed side by side for 20 seconds then moved on to me (in the middle). Pulled alongside for a brief moment ( guess he checked my truck plate) then backed off, pulled behind, and initiated a traffic stop!. I was intrigued..what could I have been doing? He came up to the pass window and asked "where you coming from"..car show..." whats in the trailer" Chevelle...".you trying to sell that car?" no..just showing. "you sure?"...yes sir..blah blah blah.. " OK then cause if you were, you would be in violation of interstate commerce law and your truck and trailer would be grossly overwieght".. really? "yes...where you going now?"...home, back to NJ.."All right..you can go"

that was it..no license..no reg...no ins cards were ever asked for..wierd! Carefull how you answer questions guys.

Interesting discovery..anyone have facts on this issue?..not sure if he could even pull me over for that?

Re: State Police checks
 

What the Heck? Talk about a scene from the Twilight Zone [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img]

Very strange [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/bs.gif[/img] I would have been more impressed if the officer was making sure that your vehicle was indeed your vehicle and not a stolen vehicle.

Glad you got home safe.

Dan

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Did you happen to see his name badge....was it Sheriff Buford T. Justice [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]

Dan

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I would bet the farm that the promoters of the Carlisle event would like to know about this. Everyone who attends from out of state and buys or sells something is in violation of interstate commerce laws? If that was the truth (and I seriously doubt it) that would pretty much kill that event....as well as all others like it [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/bs.gif[/img]

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In Illinois, even municipalities have been stopping truck/trailer combos for the last few years to check several things:

Are the vehicles registered to an individual or a business. If there is signage on the equipment, vs. a &quot;NOT FOR HIRE&quot; indication, depending on the GVWR, you might need a CDL rating.

Do the vehicles have current state safety inspection stickers, which are required every six months.

Are the license plates the appropriate weight class for both the truck &amp; trailer.

I can't speak for PA., but in IL. they realized that there was a lot of fine revenue available from ticketing drivers &amp; vehicles that were not following the sometimes difficult to understand laws covering this kind of stuff.

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Sounds like a money making scheme -- typical Chicago/Illinois politics ... and then there was one from there elected to lead this country. Next CASE!!

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And THAT response is just the reason I don't post here anymore.

Re: State Police checks
 

Know your rights!!!!


http://www.policecrimes.com/police.html

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Did you have NJ plates on the truck and trailer? I have heard some stories about running Maine plates on the trailer.

Mike

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dusk Blue Z</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did you have NJ plates on the truck and trailer? I have heard some stories about running Maine plates on the trailer.

Mike </div></div>

yes Mike..both NJ plates.. the trooper skipped the trailer and checked the truck plate

Re: State Police checks
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sixtiesmuscle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And THAT response is just the reason I don't post here anymore. </div></div>

No offense was intended and wasn’t an attempt to start a urinary Olympiad – but the facts are facts. Again, sorry if I offended anyone …

Re: State Police checks
 

Had an Indiana state trooper pull me over once and ask what was in the trailer.
After I told him a '70 Chevelle,he asked me to open it up.
Once I did,he asked me if it was for sale,I said no and then he gave me his number for when it was.
That's the only encounter I've ever had. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Re: State Police checks
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: earntaz</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sixtiesmuscle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And THAT response is just the reason I don't post here anymore. </div></div>

No offense was intended and wasn’t an attempt to start a urinary Olympiad – but the facts are facts. Again, sorry if I offended anyone … </div></div>

Your first response <span style="font-style: italic">was</span> offensive....and that's probably why sixtiesmuscle made his comment. I have seen multiple snide political comments on here that shouldn't be allowed. IMO

Anyway, back to the OP...in the state of Wisconsin, you don't have to have a plate on a trailer if you haul under 3000 pounds. I know a few guys that never plate their trailers, even if they haul a car on it and haven't been pulled over.

As a matter of fact, I had to title my trailer as the previous owner never did.....and he had it for 6 years.

Kurt

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Offended by a comment that there are potentially crooked politicians in some states?

Yikes.

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Come on Mark. Don't perputuate this. The point is that this forum is not for political bashing.

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Good point about perpetuating the issue. I guess I just don't get all of the &quot;offense&quot; these days, but you're 100% right, this isn't the place for that topic, sorry. Carry on.

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[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/laugh.gif[/img]

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Albert, I can't speak on behalf of PA Law Enforcement but the whole thing sounds a little goofy to me. Sounds like the trooper might have been on a &quot;fishing expedition&quot; especially due to the fact that he did not demand to see your drivers license or vehicle documents. You need probable cause (that a crime has, is or will be committed) or reasonable suspicion to initiate a stop.

Doesn't sound to me like there was either but like I said maybe they do things different there... I don't know how you would be overweight. That usually only applies to commercial trucks or a pick up that is extremely loaded down which I know you wouldn't be.. But then again I am not too familiar with commercial vehicle laws...

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img] Rich

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So you would have been in violating some law had you said your car was &quot;for sale&quot;?

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I had the same thing happen last fall on my way to Carlisle Albert . Same exact senario . He questioned me then took off after another truck/trailer that was all lettered up and had him pulled over . If you state your car is for sale you are conducting business . if you remain a hobbyist/car show and are not engaged in making money you are fine . KP

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I fail to see how or why you &quot;would have been grossly over weight&quot; only if your car was for sale.
I would be calling Carlisle, as suggested, as well as that department and asking questions.
First issue is that he DID NOT have Probable Cause to stop you.
Second, that he did not ID you or ask for insurance.
Third, if he did not ID himself to you first words out of his mouth,
he needs to be working security at a mall somewhere!

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I live an hour and a half from there and attended the show. My truck is registered by weight, half ton. My trailer is registered by gross weight at 7,700 and I pay registration and have to have my trailer inspected yearly. I read on Facebook that a beautiful 55 Chevy was stolen at a hotel in Newport PA, just up the road from Carlisle. I know a lot about certain PA state laws concerning my older cars that the police do not always get right. I hear about mileage restrictions and not being able to drive after dark all the time, which are just not true. I have my PA vehicle inspection license and what we can let go on inspection is not legal and is policed by the cops. It is confusing and sucks knowing you are a target just because.

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My advise is to check the laws of the state(s) you will be traveling in! And try to travel the first part of the month -- that way the LEOs may not be worried about the quota yet. LOL

Ooops -- probably offended someone again ... (I was in law enforcement for over 17 years)

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Thank you, Ken.

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The exception most usually appropriate for our private trucks and trailers is 49 CFR 390.3(f)(3) which states that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations do not apply for &quot;The occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise.&quot;

This has been interpreted by the FMCSA under the guidance section of their website. It states:

Question: Does the exemption in §390.3(f)(3) for the &quot;occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise&quot; apply to persons who occasionally use CMVs to transport cars, boats, horses, etc., to races, tournaments, shows or similar events, even if prize money is offered at these events?

Guidance: The exemption would apply to this kind of transportation, provided: (1) The underlying activities are not undertaken for profit, i.e., (a) prize money is declared as ordinary income for tax purposes, and (b) the cost of the underlying activities is not deducted as a business expense for tax purposes; and, where relevant; (2) corporate sponsorship is not involved. Drivers must confer with their State of licensure to determine the licensing provisions to which they are subject.

Seems as though so long as you comply with the above guidance you should be okay.

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alss</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> what could I have been doing? He came up to the pass window and asked &quot;where you coming from&quot;..car show...&quot; whats in the trailer&quot; Chevelle...&quot;.you trying to sell that car?&quot; no..just showing. &quot;you sure?&quot;...yes sir..blah blah blah.. &quot; OK then cause if you were, you would be in violation of interstate commerce law and your truck and trailer would be grossly overweight&quot;.. really? &quot;yes...where you going now?&quot;...home, back to NJ..&quot;All right..you can go&quot;

that was it..no license..no reg...no ins cards were ever asked for..weird! Careful how you answer questions guys.
</div></div>

Strange. I don't get the &quot;grossly overweight&quot; issue unless he was referring to your plate on the truck. If your running a standard issue plate it may not cover the weight of your truck and trailer. Other than that The weight shouldn't come into question at all unless your over 26,001 LBS and then you would need at least a class B CDL. he wasn't interested in your Driver License though.... weird.

Tommy

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Ohh the intricacies of the law... I wish more people understood it and stood their ground against these intrusions. If everyone forced jury trials we could end this non sense. Clog up the courts for 15 years... LOL