DOT Safety Checkups LLC

08/31/2026

Just got back from Colorado where I spent the week doing ELDT training for 8 guys. That takes my total student court up to 294. Yes, I have now trained 294 for either their class A or B CDL. Coming soon are two more York County Municipalities and an Adams County Fuel supplier. Heading to 300 !

Send a message to learn more

08/22/2026

If you are placed OUT OF SERVICE , can you fix your own equipment ? Yes although brake adjustment standards require a skill certification. Most issues can be corrected roadside and if you can fix something on your own , you save the cost and time of a road call out.

08/20/2026

Can you pause your CDL if you aren't using it or cannot pass your DOT physical ? YES

In PA , you can resubmit for DL-11CD and change your driving status to " EI ". While you are stating that you are exempt from needing a medical card, you get to keep your CDL BUT you cannot actually USE it. If and when you want to start using it again, Get a new med card , resubmit this same form but check the box next to the letter " NI" and you are back in business.

There is no cost to do this and no time limits involved at all.

Send a message to learn more

08/01/2026

What trucks can a Class B driver operate ?

ANY single truck ( over 26,000 lbs) with NO maximum weight limit.

Mobil Cranes with monster tires ? Yes.

A truck tractor with no trailer ( or a towed unit up to 10,000 lbs ? Yes.

6 axle dump trucks Yes.

Trailers up to 10,000 lbs ? Yes

Trailers OVER 10,000 lbs ? NO as that would make a B truck into an A truck..

Send a message to learn more

07/14/2026

DOT tip of the day. If you could only carry ONE spare bulb in your truck , what would you carry ?

Answer. A rear turn signal bulb. The ONLY time you can get put OOS for a single bulb being out is for a rear turn signal.

And no, you cannot take a bulb from another light to " fix" this violation. You cannot create a violation to fix another one.

Send a message to learn more

07/11/2026

When do you need a DOT Medical card ??

If you are driving a truck or truck trailer combination with a total registered ( so empty or loaded) weight that EXCEEDS 17,000 pounds as part of a business....You need a DOT Medical card just like a CDL holder. This only applies to travel inside of PA.

If you drive a truck or truck trailer combination with a total registered weight over 10,000 pounds as part of a business AND cross a state line...you need a DOT Medical card.

RV"s and personal use vehicles do not need medical cards.

And for those NON CDL trucks....the driver MUST carry a PAPER copy of their DOT Medical card while driving. Not having the card to present upon request is an OUT OF SERVICE violation.

CDL holders do not need to carry a paper medical card as their med card was submittted to Penndot at the time of it's renewal by the medical provider.

06/30/2026

DOT recordable crash. Any crash ( regardless of fault) in which there is any injury requiring off scene treatment OR anything needs towed. Fault or ticket does not matter.

You are sitting at a red light and get rear ended by a small car. The car has to be towed. That is DOT recordable and will show up on your DOT record as a crash. Period.

What if the crash is NOT your fault ? Does not matter, it still shows up.

Can you get it removed ? Probably. You would have to get a copy of the accident report CLEARLY showing that it was not your fault and...it was UNAVOIDABLE. If you can do this , now its time to file a Data Q challenge requesting it be removed.

I can do this challenge if you want. Message me for details.

Send a message to learn more

06/29/2026

Townships ? Small companies wanting to get your employees a CDL but cannot afford the 5 week and 5 thousand dollar cost ? I can help as I have done for multiple local and even out of state companies and municipalities. Class A or B can be done at your location with your help.

Contact me with any questions or an estimate. 717 340 3174.

06/16/2026

Do you know the actual definition of a Class A CDL combination ? Many get it wrong.

You need TWO things.

1- a trailer registered OVER 10,000 pounds. Empty or loaded does not matter.

2- a truck big enough so that when you add the registered weight of the truck and trailer TOGETHER…. they exceed 26,000 pounds.

Example 1 A 14,000 truck pulling a 12,000 trailer is not CDL. The trailer is over 10,000 but the two together is 26,000 pounds.

Example 2 A 26,000 truck pulling a 10,000 trailer. The total registered weight is at 36,000 but the trailer does not exceed 10,000. Non CDL.

Example 3 A 12,000 truck pulling a 15,000 trailer is Class A CDL. Trailer is over 10,000 and the combination is at 27,000.

05/24/2026

I am now up to 279 people who have gotten their ELDT training through me. If you have an employer that wants you to get your CDL and is willing to help with your training, I can get you started without going to an expensive school.

I have done this for local governments both in and out of PA as well as numerous companies in 12 states.

My fall is busy but the rest of the summer is wide open and I do travel.