Canada Arrest at the Canadian Border

[Dreamer]

While at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles today taking care of some things, a clerk there who knew I was in this business told me of a man who had just left. He got pulled for an inspection at the Canadian border and was discovered not to have the proper liscence, (he had a no-airbrake restriction......was driving air brake truck).......said he had been driving for years, never thought about it when he got his new air-braked truck. The cost of his oversight? Three days in Canadian jail, impounded truck, plus hefty fine. She didnt remember what company he drove for, but this should be a reminder to all to double check your liscence.

 

[RichM]

Good advice,you can!t be to carefull when crossing into Canada or back into the US.Custom authorities can detain you for up to 72 hours on suspicion alone.. Best to be as polite and pleasant as possible,make sure your logs and all paperwork is up to date etc. I heard of a guy who had his unit searched. They found a single rifle cartridge in the sleeper, End result was 30 days in prison and a $5000 fine..

 

[WendyCal]

And THAT, my friends, is the reason we don't do Canada. Having lived in foreign countries (Japan; French Morocco, Africa; CALIFORNIA lol), i know only too well the repercussions of a simple misunderstanding...

*********
Godspeed to all of you out there on the highways and byways!

 

[TRUCKNMAMA]

Iris
I have never had a problem crossing into Canada and have always been treated well. If anything the US side is nasty and arrogant,
and I'm a US citizen, then again all my paperwork is in order.

 

[RobA]

I am rather surprised at all the "arrests" at the Canadian Border I read about here. An airbrake endorsement on a driver's license is a provincial matter, nothing to do with the Canadian Customs. I think this is an "Urban Legend" unless this chap was arrested for something more- outstanding warrant etc.

Guns, including ammunition, are another matter.
YOUR TRUCK WILL BE IMPOUNDED if Canada Customs searches and finds guns, ammunition, pepper spray etc. and it is not declared. Again, a 30 day jail sentence is doubtful. They would likely make you WALK back to Detroit.

Canadian authorities will also search computers for pornography, specifically CHILD PORN. There have been some seizures from truckers so Customs are on the lookout.

There are other reasons your freight might get in trouble, incorrect count for example. Never let a shipper throw any extra pieces on your truck if not on the Bill of lading. You are responsible for knowing what is on the truck, how many pieces and the weight.

RWA

 

[Dreamer]

Not to get something going, but it was not an "Urban Legend", it came straight from the BMV, a lady I knew, who had just got done talkng to the driver. He was in getting set up for retesting, making appointment for new drivng test, same as me, when I updated mine. She said it was treated as if he was unliscensed, since he did not have the proper liscense for the vehicle he was driving... techniclly...would be treated almost the same as a Class B driver getting caught driving a Tractor trailor. When I took my driving test originally, I was warned by my examiner of this very thing, that if I ever changed trucks, I had to come back, because if caught, (when caught?) my truck could be impounded and me fined....

 

[RobA]

Hi Dreamer : Sorry I wasn't questioning the fact he was stopped for not having an AirBrake endorsement on his operators license, just that he would be jailed for that. In Ontario anybody driving a vehicle equipped with airbrakes must have an Airbrake Endorsement.

My comments were directed at the idea that all these drivers are being locked up for minor infractions. I could be wrong (been wrong many times) but I didn't think we were that unfriendly towards visitors.