I have been offered a job with a trucking company. Thing is they do not have a rider program so my wife who has always went OTR with me cant go with. The guy at the company said they do issue 1 week passes but no permanent rider program is available. I explained that my wife is an asset she just doesnt sit there and look pretty lol she does the paper work and helps me with navigation. The guy said that they dont allow that on a permanent basis only a week at a time and not back to back weeks. I am thinking its because of there insurance that they do not allow this. My question is what is the most legally that can happen if I was to bring my wife with me anyways and I got caught with her in the truck without company permission? And if you do it right what are the chances of that happening? Also should I ask if maybe I can pay for the differnece on the isurance to have her ride along with me? Or get my own to cover her? Has anyone heard of this before? Thanks for all the advice in advance :+
Rules and Laws for having a Rider
- Thread starter tbird165
- Start date
Tennesseahawk
Veteran Expediter
I'm doubting they will budge from this, as it's their insurance's policy. Having said this, if you're caught, you're canned. If you're in an accident, you are probably not covered.
Find another company.
-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!
Find another company.
-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!
Tennesseahawk
Veteran Expediter
That you would have to ask DOT. I didn't find anything in the manual. If I'm not mistaken, you do have to have written permission.
Forget the company... Would you risk the wrath of the insurance company? If they hit you for violating a policy, you could get blackballed.
-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!
Forget the company... Would you risk the wrath of the insurance company? If they hit you for violating a policy, you could get blackballed.
-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
99% its an insurance issue not a corporate policy.
When people cry such as you are. Than why does she just not get a CDL and stop the crying? To difficult? To Lazy? Sorry to be blunt but thats your only way out. Get off your arse get a CDL B or A and your profits go up and yor company stays the same.
Not much I can see in the way of difficulties.
When people cry such as you are. Than why does she just not get a CDL and stop the crying? To difficult? To Lazy? Sorry to be blunt but thats your only way out. Get off your arse get a CDL B or A and your profits go up and yor company stays the same.
Not much I can see in the way of difficulties.
Broom
Why is it you have to put people down all the time. Maybe she has a medical reason why she can't have a CDL you ever think of things like that. You are so quick to jump down someones throat when all they ask is a simple question. Quite frankly I'm sick and tired of your negative attitude when someone asks a question. You seem to think that bullying makes you better than everyone else. Just my 2 cents.
Why is it you have to put people down all the time. Maybe she has a medical reason why she can't have a CDL you ever think of things like that. You are so quick to jump down someones throat when all they ask is a simple question. Quite frankly I'm sick and tired of your negative attitude when someone asks a question. You seem to think that bullying makes you better than everyone else. Just my 2 cents.
tom tinker
Expert Expediter
Babs your opinion is worth more then 2 cents here, sounds like Broompilot is not a happy person. He should follow more in his mentors foot steps Glen Rice. My wife doesn't like driving a van, scared of expressway, even takes ghetto streets to avoid the expressway. Loves to ride. Lots of reasons spouse doesn't have CDL. You can get more bees with honey then you can with vinegar. Hurrier you go the be hinder you get! Tom Tinker
The simple solution is, find another company to work for. If you want to take your wife with you, and she wants to go, and life is nicer when you´re out there together, I´d find someone else to work for. The company your considering, can´t be that good to work for, if you want to take the Mrs., and they won´t permit it. It appears to me, they don´t have thier drivers best interests at heart.
T-Bird;
The correct answer to your original question is that it is both a DOT regulation and also a company policy. DOT regs state that you must have written authorization for a rider from the carrier you are leased onto. The carriers are limited to what their insurance companies dictate.
If stopped during a roadside inspection and you do not have a written authorization for your rider, that inspector can make that rider stay out of the truck, virtually leaving the rider stranded.
Most important though is the idea of no insurance coverage for a rider. Even with a written authorization, there is no insurance coverage for that rider. Yes, you can purchase rider insurance through most companies. Keep in mind that truck insurance does NOT have medical coverage, like your car insurance. Why? Because while driving the truck you are working. You are expected to protect yourself with Woker's Compensation or Occupational Accident Insurance. This insurance covers you the driver - not a rider. I would hate to see anyone incur medical bills from a truck accident for a rider.
I would suggest that you seek a company that does have a rider program, and that offers rider insurance. There is nothing wrong with wanting your wife to ride or be with you. You just can't expect the companies to bend their insurance company's rules to accomodate you.
Good luck in your endeavors.
Thanks,
HotFr8Recruiter
The correct answer to your original question is that it is both a DOT regulation and also a company policy. DOT regs state that you must have written authorization for a rider from the carrier you are leased onto. The carriers are limited to what their insurance companies dictate.
If stopped during a roadside inspection and you do not have a written authorization for your rider, that inspector can make that rider stay out of the truck, virtually leaving the rider stranded.
Most important though is the idea of no insurance coverage for a rider. Even with a written authorization, there is no insurance coverage for that rider. Yes, you can purchase rider insurance through most companies. Keep in mind that truck insurance does NOT have medical coverage, like your car insurance. Why? Because while driving the truck you are working. You are expected to protect yourself with Woker's Compensation or Occupational Accident Insurance. This insurance covers you the driver - not a rider. I would hate to see anyone incur medical bills from a truck accident for a rider.
I would suggest that you seek a company that does have a rider program, and that offers rider insurance. There is nothing wrong with wanting your wife to ride or be with you. You just can't expect the companies to bend their insurance company's rules to accomodate you.
Good luck in your endeavors.
Thanks,
HotFr8Recruiter
Ya I hear you me and the wife deceided that it just was not worth it and are going to find another company that does have a rider program. Funny that you say it is a DOT regulation that I have to have written permission for a rider to ride with me. The reason I say this is because the last company I drove for gave me permission to have my wife ride with me I was even paying extra money for the insurance to cover her but at no time did they give me anything in writing saying they gave me permission to have her aboard.
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
many years ago,companies did away with letting riders in vehicles as they were being sued after accidents,with the riders being injured.the insurance companies started dropping their coverage,so now unless you have writen permission from your company,no rider.also,if company does give permission,they usually make you pay a rider in the policy,for the rider,no pun intended
now,if you decide t o take your wife without written permission,and you get stopped fro any reason, by the law,and they ask to see the authority for her to be with you,the fine is very high,and you can bet she will be taken off your truck,then put on a bus home
now,if you decide t o take your wife without written permission,and you get stopped fro any reason, by the law,and they ask to see the authority for her to be with you,the fine is very high,and you can bet she will be taken off your truck,then put on a bus home
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
Babs, and Tom Tinker..
Well is this not just lovely. And what advice did you give to the guy ADMITTING he wants to break a Policy and find out what happens?
Why do the two of you get together and save your $ for the day when this guy gets BUSTED and is told to Park the Truck right there and get all of there BELONGINGS out of it and FIND THERE OWN WAY HOME. Chances are he will be flat broke and will need someone like you to pay his way home. (chances that is). Than you can feel you have done something good for someone instead of taking blunt straight forward advice from someone who has seen things like this happen before to rule breakers.
So I am policically incorrect (All of the time according to you Babs) but correct in my position on my suggestion that is the only one that MIGHT work. Get her a CDL even if she does not drive she would be legal in the truck.
The guy is talking about BREAKING COMPANY POLICY HERE PEOPLE. Do that with FDX, Panther, or any other company and your DONE. No Excuses, no expeptions.
Well is this not just lovely. And what advice did you give to the guy ADMITTING he wants to break a Policy and find out what happens?
Why do the two of you get together and save your $ for the day when this guy gets BUSTED and is told to Park the Truck right there and get all of there BELONGINGS out of it and FIND THERE OWN WAY HOME. Chances are he will be flat broke and will need someone like you to pay his way home. (chances that is). Than you can feel you have done something good for someone instead of taking blunt straight forward advice from someone who has seen things like this happen before to rule breakers.
So I am policically incorrect (All of the time according to you Babs) but correct in my position on my suggestion that is the only one that MIGHT work. Get her a CDL even if she does not drive she would be legal in the truck.
The guy is talking about BREAKING COMPANY POLICY HERE PEOPLE. Do that with FDX, Panther, or any other company and your DONE. No Excuses, no expeptions.
Broom it doesn't matter even if you ride and have a CDL. The CDL actually make the situation worse in most ways. I had to about sign my life away when riding with Bob that I would not drive the truck when he drove for USX. I was also a rider for many years and was even fearful of pulling the truck forward in the fuel islands. I can understand that fear of driving a "big truck" and was really pleasantly shocked at how easy our "little truck" is to drive. I was very frightened when we bought our truck of driving in traffic. I have since found I am very frightened of driving our car in traffic now and do almost anything I can to get out of driving that death trap!