under the commerce clause. The fed gov is granted the authority to regullate interstate commerce.
True
so it is constitutioonal for the feds to place restrictions on commercial vehicles and there operators. When they operate in more than one state.
True
Dooes that authority over ride the bill of rights
No. However, driving a commercial motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right, and in order to drive a commercial motor vehicle, you must abide by certain rules and regulations. If you don't wish to abide by them, then you won't be able to drive a commercial motor vehicle.
Could the dot make a rule banning
truckside advirtisement
Yes, but unless they could justify it for safety reasons, it would be overruled in court for being a violation of Free Speech.
Could the dot ban jews from getting commercial licenses
Yes. The Civil Rights Act prohibits the DOT from banning Jews from getting a CDL on the basis of them being Jewish, but regardless of your race, color or creed, if you have done something that would prevent you from obtaining a CDL, you won't get it, even if you are Jewish.
could the dot require drivers to testify against themselves in court
No. The 5th Amendment to the US Constitution provides that an individual cannot be forced in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. You have the right to remain silent when questioned by law enforcement, including police, lawyers and judges. This right to remain silent may be exercised at any time when your answer to any question in any circumstance may potentially incriminate you in a criminal proceeding. This includes casual conversation prior to being arrested.
Could the dot enforce a death penallty for log vioilations
If there was a law allowing for the death penalty on the books for log violations, yes. Currently, I think only Ohio has that one, so I'm not sure if the DOT or just the Ohio State Police could enforce it.
could the dot jail a driver wwithout
a trial
Sure. All it takes is probable cause to arrest someone. In most states the police have 48-72 hours from the time of arrest to them finding a judge and filing the charges. Some states (MO) it's as little as 20 hours before formal charges must be filed. With federal charges it's 72 hours. Within that time limit you must have an arraignment or "first appearance" before a judge where the charges are read and you enter a plea. The judge can dismiss the charges outright, or set a date for trial. If a trial date is set, he can release you on your own recognizance, set bail which you can pay and get out of jail, or depending on the severity of the charges, hold you in jail without bail until trial.
feel free to give answer if you dare
One cannot ensure that the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution remain firm and steadfast if they begin to take on an aura of illusory idealism. Most Americans do not truly know or understand their rights. These rights are real, they are substantive, and they apply to our everyday life. Knowing and exercising these rights is what maintains the balance of power in our system of government. Or what's left of it.